Dharamshala: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking at the 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama at Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, praised the spiritual leader’s global influence.
Rijiju called him a “living bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world,” pledging to follow his decisions and traditions, honouring his presence in India.
Rijiju said, “Your holiness, you are more than a spiritual leader. You are a living bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world. We feel blessed by his presence in our country, which he regards as his ‘aryabhoomi’.”
He further affirmed unwavering support for the Dalai Lama’s decisions and the spiritual institution he represents.
“As a devotee and on behalf of millions of devotees across the world, I want to state that whatever decision is taken by His Holiness, the established traditions and conventions, we will fully abide by it and follow the directions and guidelines to be issued by the institution of the Dalai Lama,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama were held at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, with Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh and other dignitaries.
The dignitaries seated on the dais, along with the Tibetan spiritual leader, included Hollywood actor Richard Gere. Tibetan and Indian national anthems were played on the occasion.
#WATCH | Dharamshala | Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh and Hollywood actor Richard Gere and others present rise to the Tibetan and Indian national anthems at the beginning of the 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama pic.twitter.com/UC2DZcJrxu
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025
Monks, devotees, and international guests gathered for the celebration to honour the life and teachings of the Dalai Lama, who is widely regarded as a global symbol of compassion, non-violence and interfaith harmony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too extended his wishes to the Tibetan spiritual leader. “I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life,” tweeted PM Modi on X.
I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2025
Meanwhile, Tibetan Buddhist monks living in exile offered special prayers at the Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla at Panthaghati this morning to mark the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The occasion was marked by solemn rituals, long-life prayers, and symbolic offerings led by a young boy monk, Nawang Tashi Rapten, recognised as the reincarnation of the Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The boy monk also cut a ceremonial cake as part of the celebrations, offering prayers for the spiritual leader’s long life.
Explaining the significance of the day, Tibetan Buddhist monk Kunga Lama expressed both joy and reverence.
“As a Tibetan Buddhist, I would say this celebration of the birthday of the Dalai Lama is not only a celebration, but also he is the identity of the Tibetan community, Tibetan unity, monks, and the leader of the whole culture of peace and compassion,” Kunga Lama said.
“It is our responsibility to carry out what he says as Buddhists. As I already said, he is the identity of the Tibetan community. Another thing I would like to say is that he has always been a guide to the world with compassion and love. Most of us follow his way, what he preaches,” he said.
“We are offering prayers here for the long life of the Dalai Lama and also for those who are suffering in the whole of Himachal due to flooding, and also those suffering all around the world. We are trying to follow the Dalai Lama’s path. Definitely, it’s not only important for me; the Dalai Lama has to continue the lineage not just for me but for the whole world,” he said.
“The little boy monk here is not only an ordinary monk; he is the reincarnation of Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, who will be the head of the Nyingma school in the future. He just offered prayers and cut the cake for the long life of the Dalai Lama. On one hand, it is a happy moment for us; on the other, I cannot fully express it, as he is growing old, but we depend on hope,” the Buddhist monk further said.
The Dalai Lama, born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, in Takster, a small farming village in northeastern Tibet, was recognised as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. He was formally installed as the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet on February 22, 1940, and was given the name Tenzin Gyatso.
The term “Dalai Lama” is Mongolian, meaning “Ocean of Wisdom”. In Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lamas are considered manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, an enlightened being who chooses to be reborn to serve all sentient beings.
After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, the Dalai Lama assumed full political authority in 1950. He was forced to flee into exile in March 1959 following the violent suppression of the Tibetan uprising. He has since lived in India, along with over 80,000 Tibetan refugees, continuing to advocate for peace, non-violence, and compassion.
For over six decades, His Holiness has been a global ambassador of Buddhist philosophy, compassion, peace, and interfaith harmony, continuing to inspire millions worldwide.
Celebrations were held across Tibetan settlements in India and abroad, with many also expressing hope that the Dalai Lama’s lineage will continue through a recognised reincarnation in the future. (With inputs from ANI)
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