Dharamsala: Amid the sound of drums, music, and applause, the Dalai Lama stepped into Dharamsala’s main temple courtyard on Sunday, marking his 90th birthday.
According to Radio Free Asia, the Tibetan spiritual leader was welcomed by Tibetan cultural performers, schoolchildren in uniforms, monks, and residents dressed in their finest traditional attire. The event featured a backdrop proclaiming a Year of Compassion, adorned with images of renowned figures such as Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. Seated beside the Dalai Lama were Indian government officials, leaders from the Tibetan exiled government, and actor Richard Gere, a longtime supporter of Tibetan rights, along with his son.
Addressing the gathering, the Dalai Lama expressed gratitude, “To all my friends, on my 90th birthday celebration, you have gathered here happily with great excitement and strong joy in your heart. And I would like to thank everyone.” A day prior, during a long life prayer held in his honor, he shared his aspiration to live beyond 130 years.
The birthday celebration concluded a week of events, highlighted by the Tibetan spiritual leader’s reaffirmation on Wednesday that the Dalai Lama lineage would continue. He stated that the next reincarnation would be chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization he established, dismissing China’s attempts to influence his succession.
In response, the Chinese foreign ministry insisted that the selection of a new Dalai Lama must adhere to Chinese law and occur in China. This stance came after Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed support for the Dalai Lama’s succession plans on Friday, prompting China’s foreign ministry to caution India to act prudently.
Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “We hope the Indian side will fully understand the highly sensitive nature of Tibet-related issues, recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended birthday wishes and emphasized the support for efforts to preserve Tibetans’ distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their right to freely choose and honor religious leaders without interference.
At Sunday’s event, Pema Khandu, India’s Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, reiterated, “[We] reaffirm our collective commitment to uphold the traditional Tibetan Buddhism process for the recognition of his reincarnation in line with the guidance of Gaden Phodrang Trust.”