His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the celebration
Photo: Ngawang Rabgyal /Contact Magazine
Dharamshala, the residence of Dalai Lama, was in festive mood for weeks as Tibetans geared up for a mega celebration of the 80th birthday of their beloved leader, the 14th Dalai Lama whose birthday falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.
The three day celebration was jointly organised by Central Tibetan Administration, Riwo Geden and the Domey Association. As well as marking the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday, the event honoured his great achievements and tireless contribution towards humanity at large and Tibet’s cause in particular.
The celebration kicked off on June 21 at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, which was packed with thousands of Tibetans and supporters gathered for the event.The Tibetan leader was offered long life prayer offering in the presence of other heads and representatives of the four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon.A group of Tibetans who are also eighty years old this year received special blessing from His Holiness. The official ceremony which followed,was attended by special guests who included Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and Minister of Civil Aviation and KirenRijiju,the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs of the Government of India. Also present were Shri Nabam Tuki, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; Mr Pema Khandu,Tourism Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and Mr་Penpa Tsering, Speaker of Tibetan parliament.
Sri Nabam Tuki and Mr Pema Khando awarded the Dalai Lama with a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni and a citation on behalf of people of Arunachal Pradesh for his contribution to the world.
Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay greeted His Holiness on behalf of all Tibetans, those inside Tibet and those in exile, and expressed gratitude for his leadership, guidance and promoting universal responsibility to foster religious harmony.
Guests sitting in traditional Domey setting at the celebration
Photo: Ngawang Rabgyal/Contact magazine
Indian Minister Shri Mahesh Sharma said that he has come with the best wishes and prayers of 125 Crore Indians. Shri Kiren Rijiju said “You don’t represent one religion or one community; you represent the entire humanity. And it is our bonded duty to ensure that we practice your message of love and kindness in words and in spirit.”
The Dalai Lama addressed the gathering, thanking the guests and audience for coming to celebrate his birthday. He said that the best birthday gift for him would be following the teachings of Lord Buddha and fostering the rich tradition of Nalanda. His Holiness also mentioned that Tibetans should nurture the Tibetan language and give importance to it as it is the only language through which the traditions of Nalanda can be explained and studied fully – which can benefit all humanity. He further said that the message he carries around the world is Indian, the place where the traditions of Nalanda flourished first. His Holiness calls himself a son of India, explaining, “Because I have lived on this land for more than 56 years now, and my body dwelled on the rice and dal grown on this land.”
The first day of celebrations concluded with His Holiness relishing an open luncheon with guests and the public in the courtyard at Tsuglakhang.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh cuts the birthday cake
Photo: Ngawang Rabgyal /Contact magazine
The next day was arranged by members of the་Domey Association, with a traditional Amdo setting for the celebrations. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh who turned 81 on the same day, attended the ceremony and he and His Holiness cut the birthday cake together. They also inaugurated fifteen thangka paintings based on the life and achievements of the 14th Dalai Lama.
Penpa Tsering, Speaker of Tibetan parliament presented His Holiness with a Commemorative Gold Medal on behalf of the Domey Association.
The heads of all the Tibetan religious traditions: Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche, Sakya Trizin, Menri Trizin Rinpoche, Gyalwang Karmapa, Kabje Khadok Geytsel Rinpoche representing Tsedrul Rinpoche and Dregung Chetsang Rinpoche also addressed the audience to honour the auspicious day.
His Holiness and the guests later attended the screening of a documentary film on the life of Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, at Tibetan Children’s Village school. The screening was followed by cultural performances by popular Tibetan singers in exile.
Despite the threats and tight restrictions of the Chinese authorities་with regard to celebrating and observing the Dalai Lama’s birthdays in the past, reports are coming in from Tibet that Tibetans there་celebrated and honoured་His Holiness’s 80th birthday in their own ways.
Group of Taiwanese children presenting a special song for His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his birthday
Photo: Tibet.net
The Taiwan International Convention Centre organised a four-hour long Blessing Concert for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Taipei in Taiwan. The Dalai Lama spoke live online to over 3,500 people who were present at the concert and said, “Be kind hearted towards others and that would be the best birthday gift for me.”
Print
Email