Photo: OHHDL
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetan people, turned 86 on July; celebrations were kept low key in small groups due to the Covid19 pandemic. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) also known as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile held the official ceremony in a small gathering. Birthday greetings from Tibetans, followers and friends of His Holiness from across the world are shared in all the social media platforms.
His Holiness’s virtual birthday message
Photo: tibet.net
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the public virtually on his birthday, calling for his friends to keep committed to “compassion and non-violence” throughout the rest of their life, which His Holiness considers as the birthday gift, adding that he is committed to non-violence and compassion until his death.
Reiterating his commitment to serve humanity His Holiness said,“I want to express my deep appreciation to all my friends who have really shown me love, respect and trust. For myself, I can assure you that for the rest of my life I am committed to serving humanity and working to protect the climate condition.
“Since I became a refugee and now settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India’s freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge.I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence).”
Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressing the official celebration
Photo: tibet.net
PenpaTsering, the newly elected Sikyong (President) of the CTA, in his address during the official celebration stressed that considering the early days of exile, Tibetans are now relatively self-sufficient which is the result of 60 years of hard work by His Holiness, the CTA and international aid groups.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the foremost guides of our time and is one of the few individuals who can reorient Sino-Tibetan history toward a positive direction. The Chinese government should therefore recognise that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the key to resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict,” said Penpa.
He also earnestly appealed to the Chinese government to invite His Holiness to Tibet and China on pilgrimage without preconditions. His Holiness has expressed his willingness to visit these places on many occasions.
Dignitaries from various countries sent birthday wishes to His Holiness.
Narendra Modi
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called His Holiness on his birthday to wish him a long and healthy life, he made this message public by tweeting,”Spoke on phone to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.” This is possibly Modi’s first public greeting to His Holiness since his election as Prime Minister, it is assumed he has not done this before to avoid friction with China.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, extended his greetings to His Holiness saying, “on behalf of all my fellow Indians, wishing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on his 86th birthday. We consider ourselves fortunate to be inculcating your values in our Delhi government school students through the medium of Happiness Curriculum”.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen also sent good wishes to His Holiness, saying in a Twitter post, “Wishing a very happy 86th birthday to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thank you for teaching us the importance of coming together to help one another through this pandemic.”
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi extended their birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on their official Twitter pages. Antony Blinken tweeted,“Delighted to extend His Holiness the Dalai Lama warm wishes on his birthday. He inspires us all to live each day with humility, compassion, and understanding. Here’s to many more years.”
“It is an honour to join the Tibetan people and so many friends of Tibet to send warm birthday wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama” tweeted Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “This is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate His Holiness and the message of hope and spiritual guidance that he has shared with the world”.
US Ambassador in Ind ia Atul Keshap
US Ambassador in India Atul Keshap also sent his birthday wish to His Holiness saying, “[the] Dalai Lama’s messages of peace and compassion inspire and transcend globally”.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, MP, Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa has issued a statement on His Holiness’s birthday expressing his good wishes, “His commitment to peace, non-violence and human solidarity have always resonated with me, for these are the very principles on which I founded Inkatha and by which I have lived for nine decades,” he said in the statement.
Many other politicians and renowned individuals from different walks of life from across the world have offered their best wishes to His Holiness.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama has been living in India since 1959 after coming into exile from Tibet. In previous years, pre-Covid, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday has been one of the grandest celebrations in the Tibetan community. It is normally also one of the biggest events in Dharamshala where many international dignitaries and representatives from the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Himachal Government, as well as the Government of India, visit Dharamshala to take part in the celebrations.
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