The article text:
In a remarkable display of devotion, thousands of Tibetan Buddhists descended upon the serene hill town of Dharamshala, India, to honor the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. Despite the relentless monsoon rains, the atmosphere was filled with joy as the Dalai Lama, draped in traditional attire and a flowing yellow wrap, greeted the crowd with a warm smile, assisted by two monks.
Chants reverberated through the temple grounds, accompanied by lively dance troupes, who dazzled attendees with performances featuring cymbals and bagpipes. Notable figures such as Indian ministers and the acclaimed actor Richard Gere were present at the celebration, further emphasizing the global reach of the Dalai Lama’s influence as a proponent of peace.
Gere, radiating joy, addressed the attendees, calling it a "joyous, joyous day" to be honoring a "selfless" leader and even shared an affectionate moment with the Dalai Lama, kissing his hand. The festivities marked the conclusion of a week of prayer and reflection, coinciding with long-life observances that began earlier in the week.
The Dalai Lama, who typically refrains from grand birthday celebrations, expressed his gratitude for the occasion as a time for his followers to reflect on compassion and tranquility. Looking ahead, he humorously affirmed his robust health and predicted he would reach the age of 130, outliving previous estimates by two decades.
While he emphasized the significance of material progress, the Dalai Lama urged his audience to cultivate a "good heart" and extend compassion to all. Recently, he confirmed his plans for a successor, addressing longstanding questions surrounding the continuation of the 600-year-old institution in the wake of his eventual passing.
In the Buddhist tradition, the next Dalai Lama is believed to be reincarnated after death, a sacred process that falls outside political jurisdiction. The Dalai Lama has indicated that he expects his reincarnation to occur outside of Chinese governance, a viewpoint that has been met with swift denunciation from Beijing, which insists on controlling the succession process.
Amid fears among Tibetan exiles regarding potential Chinese intervention in naming a successor to the Dalai Lama, the celebrations drew attention from figures like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lauded the spiritual leader as an enduring symbol of love and compassion. Former US President Barack Obama also conveyed his good wishes, dubbing the Dalai Lama "the youngest 90-year-old" he knows, underscoring the leader's remarkable impact on the world stage.
In a remarkable display of devotion, thousands of Tibetan Buddhists descended upon the serene hill town of Dharamshala, India, to honor the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. Despite the relentless monsoon rains, the atmosphere was filled with joy as the Dalai Lama, draped in traditional attire and a flowing yellow wrap, greeted the crowd with a warm smile, assisted by two monks.
Chants reverberated through the temple grounds, accompanied by lively dance troupes, who dazzled attendees with performances featuring cymbals and bagpipes. Notable figures such as Indian ministers and the acclaimed actor Richard Gere were present at the celebration, further emphasizing the global reach of the Dalai Lama’s influence as a proponent of peace.
Gere, radiating joy, addressed the attendees, calling it a "joyous, joyous day" to be honoring a "selfless" leader and even shared an affectionate moment with the Dalai Lama, kissing his hand. The festivities marked the conclusion of a week of prayer and reflection, coinciding with long-life observances that began earlier in the week.
The Dalai Lama, who typically refrains from grand birthday celebrations, expressed his gratitude for the occasion as a time for his followers to reflect on compassion and tranquility. Looking ahead, he humorously affirmed his robust health and predicted he would reach the age of 130, outliving previous estimates by two decades.
While he emphasized the significance of material progress, the Dalai Lama urged his audience to cultivate a "good heart" and extend compassion to all. Recently, he confirmed his plans for a successor, addressing longstanding questions surrounding the continuation of the 600-year-old institution in the wake of his eventual passing.
In the Buddhist tradition, the next Dalai Lama is believed to be reincarnated after death, a sacred process that falls outside political jurisdiction. The Dalai Lama has indicated that he expects his reincarnation to occur outside of Chinese governance, a viewpoint that has been met with swift denunciation from Beijing, which insists on controlling the succession process.
Amid fears among Tibetan exiles regarding potential Chinese intervention in naming a successor to the Dalai Lama, the celebrations drew attention from figures like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lauded the spiritual leader as an enduring symbol of love and compassion. Former US President Barack Obama also conveyed his good wishes, dubbing the Dalai Lama "the youngest 90-year-old" he knows, underscoring the leader's remarkable impact on the world stage.
