Birthday celebrations in the Tibetan settlement in New Delhi
Photo: Tashi Tobgyal
Tibetans and Buddhist devotees all over the world gathered in large numbers to celebrate the 81st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 6.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama celebrated the day at Mungod Tibetan settlement in South India where he was joined by the leader and speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and Khenpo Sonam Tenphel.
The Tibetan community in Dharamshala marked the day with a mass prayer and celebration in Tsugla-khang, the main temple there. Hundreds of Tibetans, friends and tourists attended and the formal ceremony was followed by series of traditional songs and dances by various artistes.
School children performing a cultural dance to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 81st birthday at Tsuglagkhang
Photo: tibet.net
Presiding over the event was the Home Minister (Kalon) Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang (representing Sikyong) who said “On this joyous occasion of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama’s 81st birthday, on behalf of Kashag and Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, I would like to express our deepest reverence to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Deputy Speaker Archarya Yeshi Phuntsok and Mr Ajay Singh Mankotia, President of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association were also in attendance and statements from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the Kashag were read out.
A Hindi version of Vijay Kranti’s comic book Dalai Lama – Soldier of Peace and a book on the life of former Tibetan political prisoner Lobsang Tenzin were launched during the event.
His Holiness celebrating his birthday in Mungod
Photo: dalailama.com
However, Tibetans in Nepal were denied holding any celebration for His Holiness’ birthday despite permission having been initially given. The celebration was scheduled to be held at the Songtsen Brikuti school in Boudhanath in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and the Tibetan community had been making preparations for weeks. Several hundred Tibetans gathered for the event were disrupted by Naplese police who detained around 30 Tibetans, including the Tibetan Settlement Officer. The police forced the Tibetans to cancel the celebration and also took down large portraits of the Dalai Lama and other offerings which the Tibetans had put on display.
Local sources reportedly believe that Nepal succumbed to pressure from China as the authorities initially gave permission to hold the celebration. “No one can stop us from respecting and loving His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, a Tibetan living in Nepal posted on Facebook.
Portraits of His Holiness removed by Nepali police in Kathmandu
Nepal is home to more than 20,000 Tibetans.
The birthday was celebrated in Tokyo in Japan on July 2, where Japanese dignitaries, Tibetans and guests gathered at the Hotel Okura and on July 3, Tibetans and friends of Tibet in Taiwan marked His Holiness’ birthday with prayers, music concerts, photo exhibitions and a film screening attended by around 600 people.
The Office of Tibet in London hosts a reception
Photo: tibet.net
Tibetans living in the West also celebrated the special day, attending local events held in honour of His Holiness’s birthday. Mr Thomas Mann, a German MEP and the Chair of the Tibet Interest Group extended his warmest birthday wishes to His Holiness on behalf of the European Union: “You are and you will be a role model of a peaceful human approach in every situation of life. For your 81st birthday, we promise to continue our work here in the European Parliament”, said Mr Mann, while in London, The Office of Tibet hosted a reception.
Unlike, Tibetans in exile, Tibetans inside Tibet are unable to show their joy and celebration on His Holiness’s birthday. However, according to a Voice of Americar eport, despite the risks, Tibetans in Lithang, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province held a celebration initiated by Tsenyi Monastery in Lithang. A large portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was displayed along with butter lamps and monks held a prayer service for His Holiness’ long life. Lunch followed, and celebratory dances by local Tibetans. Tibetans in Lithang were reportedly summoned to a meeting before the celebration and warned to keep it low profile.
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