The spiritual guru of Buddhists worldwide, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, celebrated his 90th birthday in his home in Dharamshala. A most colourful ceremony, with a vast following present to wish him good health. Richard Gere, one of his closest followers, was a certainty to be present. The Indian government was represented by Union Minister, Kieren Rijju, who is also a practising Buddhist.
The occasion was not without its controversy, surrounding the next incarnation, whether it would be conducted by the Chinese authorities out of Tibet, or by the Dalai Lama in India. Who will be the next after him? His Holiness has hinted his successor could be from anywhere else, outside of Tibet. Could there be two appointees in the future, given the likely chance of neither sidegiving up their claims?
Dharamshala: With immense gratitude and admiration for His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama for his lifelong commitment to global harmony through teachings of love, compassion, and altruism — and in particular, for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan cultural and religious heritage and the well-being of the exile Tibetan community — Tibetans, joined by members of the international community, gathered at the Tsuglagkhang this morning in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and distinguished guests from around the world.
The celebration, organised by the Ghoton Organising Committee of the Central Tibetan Administration, was filled with vibrant festivities and featured a rich array of classical and modern performances by numerous participants from around the world, including the renowned Indian playback singer Mohit Chauhan. The event also included the exchange of mementoes. Video messages from three former Presidents of the United States—42nd President Bill Clinton, 43rd President George W. Bush, and 44th President Barack Obama—were screened before the gathering. In addition, a written message from the Hon’ble President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, was read to the audience.
It was graced by the presence of Chief Guests Hon’ble Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs from the Government of India, along with Guests of Honour, Hon’ble Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and Hon’ble Minister of Sikkim’s Ecclesiastical Affairs, Sonam Lama, Government of Sikkim, as well as Special Guests Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyaltson, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, and actor Richard Gere, the Board Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet.
More than 30 members of a delegation from Arunachal Pradesh attended, including family members of Hon’ble Chief Minister Pema Khandu; Co-Convener of the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, Hon’ble MP Tapir Gao; Hon’ble MLA Phurpa Tsering; Hon’ble MLA Tenzin Glow; and many dignitaries from all branches of the Arunachal State Government and their families. From the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Executive Councillor Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, several other Councillors, and the ADC attended the event. The Secretary of the Government of Sikkim’s Culture Department and other dignitaries also attended. A Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, MLA Sudhir Sharma, was also present on the occasion.
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, Her Excellency Dr. Eliška Žigová, and the Embassy’s Third Secretary, Adam Podhola, were in attendance, along with former U.S. Congressman Ben McAdams and six members from the U.S. State Department and Embassy in Delhi, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Bethany Poulos Morrison. From Italy, former Italian MP and Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs Gianni Vernetti, and from Sri Lanka, MP Harshana Rajakaruna, attended the celebration.
A group of Chinese friends from Taiwan, as well as from overseas, also came to celebrate this momentous occasion. Among them were FUNG Tsz-chung, Secretary General, Hong Kong Outlanders; Tashi Tsering, Secretary, Human Rights Network for Taiwan-Tibet; Lin Hsin-Yi, Executive Director, Taiwan Alliance to End Death Penalty; Chen Weiming, a renowned Chinese artist and Founder of Liberty Sculpture Park; Chiu Chun Wei, an artist from Taiwan; and Professors Ming Xia, Lee Yeau Tarn, and Su Jia-hong.
Also in attendance were Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche, 43rd Sakya Trizin Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, 105th Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Dorje Pal Sangpo, Kyabje Menri Trizin Rinpoche, Kyabje Minling Khenchen Rinpoche, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Taklung Kyabgon Ghazi Trizin Shabdrung Rinpoche, Khenpo Ngedhon Tenzin, Kyabje Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Taklung Ma Tulku Rinpoche, Kalon Trisur Professor Samdong Rinpoche, and other participants of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference.
From the Central Tibetan Administration, attendees included Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo; Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel; Sikyong Penpa Tsering; Education Kalon (Minister) Changra Tharlam Dolma; Security Kalon Dolma Gyari; Department of Information and International Relations Kalon Norzin Dolma; Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi; Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi; Auditor General Tashi Topgyal; members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile; and Secretaries. Representatives from Tibetan civil societies and a throng of Tibetans and well-wishers also came together to join in the celebration.
The ceremony commenced with a hoisting of Tibetan and Indian national flags by the Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Hon’ble Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, accompanied by the singing of Tibetan and Indian national anthems.
Delivering the introductory remarks following a rendition of Ghoton theme song in Tibetan by artist from Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Sikyong Penpa Tsering extended his heartiest welcome to all the distinguished guests and acknowledged “I must apologise to all those who may have preferred to be personally and physically present here in the presence of His Holiness to celebrate. But unfortunately, as you can see, we have a very small place here in Dharamshala to fit everyone in. And since this is also the monsoon season, we don’t have the privilege of holding the event at a larger venue.” For those in attendance, Sikyong expressed his sincere gratitude for making the effort to join the event, despite the challenges of travelling during Himachal’s torrential monsoon and managing their busy schedules.
Sikyong then announced, “We have a long list of dignitaries from around the world who have sent messages to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” which he said will be screened during the cultural performance programmes on the following days.
Thanking the celebrants across the world for greetings, His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, the Peerless Teacher of the Twenty-First Century, delivered a keynote speech. “As I was born a human being, it is in our innate nature to love and help one another. Particularly, being from a place where religion is flourishing and where a deep sense of cousinly bond prevails, I always contemplate and practice altruism, as it is one of the fundamental practices mentioned in Chodjug (The Way of the Bodhisattva). Recognising all sentient beings as my own kin, I dedicate all my efforts and abilities to the benefit of others.” His Holiness continued, “When a large number of people gather and display their affection, I am all the more inspired and encouraged to practice altruism.”
His Holiness further said that he spent his entire day practising cultivation of Bodhicitta (a mind of awakening) and comprehending Sunyata (emptiness) and reflected on his entire life, which he spent as a simple Buddhist monk upholding the principles of Buddhist teachings. “When I look back on my life, I feel that it has been meaningful. Even though people respect me as the Dalai Lama, I do not take pride in it; instead, I reflect on my own spiritual cultivation.”
In conclusion, His Holiness said, “To the extent that you all show love towards me, I encourage you to equally cultivate Bodhicitta and deepen your understanding of emptiness.”
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, then read the official statement of the Tibetan parliament for the occasion.
Following that, Board Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet and a long-time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, actor Richard Gere, who is accompanied to the celebration by his son Homer James Jigme Gere, addressed the gathering. “I know His Holiness famously doesn’t really care that much about birthdays, but we care about birthdays—especially this birthday. From His Holiness’ point of view, every moment is the birthday, every breath is the birthday, every heartbeat is the birthday. That’s what he’s taught us, and that’s what we should be living—with his openness, love, and compassion for all beings.”
Being a Westerner and having grown up as a Christian, he admired His Holiness’ combination of compassion and wisdom in his teachings. “There is something very sweet that I saw at the religious conference a few days ago, after the proclamation that His Holiness agreed to continue the institution of the Dalai Lama. Many of the lamas who spoke out during the open discussion were openly declaring: ‘Look, His Holiness the Dalai Lama doesn’t belong to Tibet anymore — His Holiness belongs to the world, and he belongs to the universe,’” he remarked.
