As Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual leader his Holiness the Dalai Lama reached the landmark birthday of 80 this month, worshipers and well-wishers joined together to wish him a happy birthday and a long life. “For him, this birthday is just like any other day” said the founder of Friends of Dalai Lama, Ven Tenzin Dhonden Lama. Yet July 6, the Dalai Lama’s official birthday, was marked and celebrated by Tibetans and non-Tibetans, by Buddhists and non-Buddhists the world over. “The Dalai Lama does not want any physical gifts”, Ven Tenzin Dhonden assured, “However, if we can help to create a more compassionate, kind planet, that would be the most beautiful gift of all.”
Dalai Lama’s birthday celebration at Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala
Photo: Phayul /Kunsang Gashon
The Dalai Lama spent his birthday at the Global Compassion Summit in Anaheim, Southern California, joining a 3 day celebration of his lifetime’s devotion to spreading the message of the value of peace, kindness and universal compassion throughout the world. Participants sang birthday greetings and presented him with an 80-foot birthday cake. In McLeod Ganj, India, the Dalai Lama’s home in exile, celebrations went ahead despite his absence and thousands of Tibetans and Senior Indian Officials flocked to Tsug-lag-khang, the main temple there. Political Head of the Tibetan people, Dr Lobsang Sangay, and Mr PenpaTsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, delivered official statements and the crowds were treated to a public lunch and cultural performances.
In Tibet, where the Chinese government denounces the Dalai Lama and routinely persecutes those who publicly support him, a large number of the Dalai Lama’s followers defied new restrictions and bans in order to celebrate. Since June 21, which is the Dalai Lama’s birthday according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar, many have gathered at monasteries, displayed the Dalai Lama’s portrait, set off fireworks, lit incense and made offerings and prayers. Radio Free Asia reports arrests in some provinces following the celebrations.
Tibetans in Nepal mark 80th birthday of Dalai Lama
Photo: npr.org
In Nepal however, home to over 20,000 Tibetans, the situation for Tibetan people was more promising. Celebrations for the Dalai Lama’s birthday were banned last year, but the government relaxed restrictions this year and allowed supporters to organise a series of events dedicated to the spiritual leader.
In the European Union the occasion was used to express solidarity with Tibetans, their religion and culture. A photo exhibition Ways of Wisdom: Celebrating the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday was opened at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Estonian Member of the European Parliament said, “the best birthday present for His Holiness will be if the EU’s High Representative Mrs Federica Mogherini and all EU politicians would on all occasions demand that the Chinese Government guarantee Tibetans genuine autonomy.”
Artistes performing at His Holiness’ birthday celebration in Russia
Photo: Tibet.net
In Russia thousands of Buddhist followers and supporters attended celebrations in Moscow and the traditional Russian Buddhist Republics of Kalmykia, Buryatia, Transbaikalai and Tuva. Head Lama of Kalmykia, TeloTulku Rinpoche, remarked on the long historical ties between Russia and Tibet and encouraged the audience to pledge to develop a good heart from today onwards, “By doing this we could become an extension of tireless efforts taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama” he said, “The best birthday gift that anybody could ever give to His Holiness is to develop good heart”.
Speaking a few days before his official birthday at Glastonbury Festival, the largest music festival in the UK where he joined American singer Patti Smith on stage, the Dalai Lama said,“Each day is a new day, a new birthday,…. in order to have a happy day we must keep here [in your heart] more compassionate feeling. That is the ultimate source of a happy mind, a happy feeling.”
As the Dalai Lama becomes an octogenarian marking 8 decades since his birth, Tibetan Buddhists and supporters around the world hope he will celebrate many more birthdays. Speaking to the German World on Sunday newspaper last year, the Dalai Lama shared that doctors have told him he could well live to 100, adding, “in my dreams I will die at the age of 113.”
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