A tulku, rendered in Chinese as a living Buddha, is a recognised reincarnation of a previous teacher, and the institution has organised authority in Tibetan Buddhism since the thirteenth century. Recognition has traditionally been made by senior lamas of the relevant lineage, using dreams, oracles, tests with the predecessor's possessions and, at times since the eighteenth century, a lottery from a golden urn introduced under the Qing.
The 2007 measures put the process under administrative control. Reincarnation must not violate state law or public interest, and must respect the religious rituals and historical conventions of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery seeking a reincarnation must be a registered site for religious activity and must be one that historically carried the lineage. An application is filed with the provincial or autonomous region religious affairs department; where the influence of the figure is great the State Council decides. Approval is required before a search may begin, and unauthorised searching or recognition is prohibited.
Two clauses are the substance of the instrument. Reincarnation is stated not to be subject to interference or control by any foreign organisation or individual. And no group or individual may without authorisation carry out reincarnation related activity. Together they place the identification of a religious successor within the gift of the state that issues the permit.