Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday at an Indian temple: Seeking inner peace and compassion together

The Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday in India and said on social media that he would focus on promoting human values ​​and religious harmony, inviting believers to pursue inner peace and compassion.

CNN reported that despite the heavy monsoon rain and thick fog that day, there were still crowds of people dressed in costumes, filling the narrow streets since early morning and queuing up in the hope of seeing the Dalai Lama at the Tsuklakhang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery.

Hundreds of participants with hope waited outside the monastery to see if they would be allowed in. However, the monastery was already crowded before the event began, and was closely guarded by Indian police and security personnel.

When the Dalai Lama entered the monastery accompanied by two attendants, dancers in traditional costumes wearing masks spun and danced to the sound of gongs, flutes and horns.

At the event, in addition to speeches by Indian government ministers, Hollywood actor Richard Gere, who has long supported the Dalai Lama, also appeared to give a speech.

Singing filled the temple grounds, and the Dalai Lama ate a slice of birthday cake topped with fresh fruit and white lilies.

The gathering capped days of celebrations that drew supporters and religious leaders to the Himalayan city, which has been home to the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama since his failed uprising against Chinese communist rule in 1959.

Many travelled from far away to attend the event. One of them was Namgyal Dorjee Gongpa, 49, who came from the United States with his wife and three sons. “This is a very important moment for me and my family,” he said. “We travel to India every year, which is the center of the Tibetan exile community. This way, my children, although born abroad, can return to their roots, learn and experience their own culture. So, this is a very special moment because our whole family can celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama together.”

The Dalai Lama also posted a birthday message on the X platform, saying that he is just an ordinary Buddhist monk and does not celebrate birthdays. He emphasized that “inner peace can be achieved through cultivating a kind heart and compassion.” In his speech, he promised to continue to promote human values, religious harmony, ancient Indian wisdom, and Tibetan culture, which “has great potential to contribute to the world.”

During the ceremony, the Dalai Lama assured everyone that he was “in very good health” and raised his longevity goal from the previous 110 to 130 years old.

The Dalai Lama was seen swaying to live music as he was escorted out of the temple before leaving in a golf cart.

This year’s celebrations were particularly significant. For the charismatic leader, it was a major moment to explain how he would be arranged after his death.

In a video address to religious elders last Wednesday, the Dalai Lama announced that there would be a successor after his death, and reiterated that only the Dalai Lama’s office “has the sole authority” to confirm the future reincarnation. “No one has the right to interfere in this matter,” the Dalai Lama stressed in the recorded video.

The statement set the stage for a possible succession battle between the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leaders and China’s atheist Communist Party. Beijing insists that only the Chinese government has the right to approve the next Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama’s announcement of a successor was welcomed by many Tibetan Buddhists, who have been waiting for him to decide whether the centuries-old system will end after his death. He had previously said he would re-evaluate the matter when he was around 90 years old.