By Tenzin Dharpo & Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, July 7: The Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama who turned 86 on Tuesday urged his followers to adopt non-violence and compassion as an offering on his birth anniversary. “My dear friends, on my birthday, this is my gift so please keep it in mind. I, myself committed to non-violence and compassion until my death.
“This is my offering to my friends. I hope my friends will also keep non-violence and compassion for the rest of their lives. So firstly, this is like report of my life. Secondly all my human brothers and sisters should keep this two, non-violence and compassion, until your death,” the Tibetan leader was seen saying in a pre-recorded video clip.
World leaders and noted followers poured in with wishes for the Dalai Lama who is seen as the foremost figure for peace and reconciliation. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the US House of Representatives tweeted, “It is an honor to join the Tibetan people and so many friends of Tibet to send warm birthday wishes to His Holiness The @DalaiLama. This is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate His Holiness and the message of hope and spiritual guidance that he has shared with the world.”
Fellow American politician and Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted: “Delighted to extend His Holiness the @DalaiLama warm wishes on his birthday. He inspires us all to live each day with humility, compassion, and understanding. Here’s to many more years.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.”
The Tibetan community across the world celebrated the Dalai Lama’s 86th birthday. Tibetan communities in Switzerland, France, Japan, Belgium and many countries abroad marked His Holiness’s birthday days ahead of celebrations while various groups in India donated free ration and food to poor Indian families below the poverty line. Full fledged celebrations were prevented by Covid-19 restrictions across the globe.
Tibetans in Belgium celebrated the Nobel Laureate’s birthday in Antwerp on Saturday, in adherence to Covid protocol with a maximum of 250 individuals. According to CTA, representatives of Tibet House in Japan and South Korea in a virtual meeting on Sunday marked the birthday.
Tibetan students in Bangalore along with RTYC helped over 113 poor families in the area on Friday with dry ration and clothes to reinforce the spiritual leader’s commitment to live more than 113 years for the welfare of humanity. Moreover, the Tibetan Cancer Society who spearheaded the Covid-19 relief effort in India during the second wave is set to donate 86,000 masks near Delhi hospitals to mark the auspicious occasion. Similarly, monasteries have also donated ration or initiated food drives to the local families in need.
The Kashag Secretariat on Friday urged the Tibetan public and monasteries to avoid congregations of public as much as possible due to the pandemic and also advised all to recite Chenrezig’s mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) over 1000 times to be dedicated to His Holiness. The official commemoration of the day was overseen by the new political head Penpa Tsering in attendance by top rung of the CTA leadership on July 6 at Dharamshala at Gangchen Kyishong.
