From Newsweek (HT BoingBoing):

In one of history's more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China hasbanned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without governmentpermission. According to a statement issued by the State Administrationfor Religious Affairs, the law, which goes into effect next month andstrictly stipulates the procedures by which one is to reincarnate, is"an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation."