Dalai Lama, a global symbol of Tibetan culture and resistance, turns 90
Recognized worldwide in his red robes and wide smile, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, describes himself as a 'simple Buddhist monk.' But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion.
The birthday party capped a week of celebrations, during which the Nobel Peace Prize winner said he plans to reincarnate after his death, ending years of speculation that he might be the last person to hold the role. He also said that the next Dalai Lama should be and recognized as per past Buddhist traditions.
On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he hoped to live until the age of 130.
In the past, the Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born in the 'free world' — outside China. Many exiled Tibetans, however, fear China will name its own successor to the Dalai Lama to bolster control over Tibet, a territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since.
China, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. It also says it will reject anyone chosen without Beijing's consent.
Dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader.
Modi said the Dalai Lama has 'been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline,' while Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader 'continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace and compassion.'
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday in Dharamshala, India, surrounded by thousands of followers who gathered despite heavy rains. The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism marked the milestone with significant announcements about his future, including plans to reincarnate after death and hopes to live until age 130. The celebration capped a week of birthday events in the Himalayan town where he has lived in exile since fleeing Tibet in 1959. Guests cut a seven-layer cake as a portrait of the Dalai Lama is seen in the background during festivities marking his 90th birthday in Taipei on July 6, 2025. Guests cut a seven-layer cake as a portrait of the Dalai Lama is seen in the background during festivities marking his 90th birthday in Taipei on July 6, 2025. I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images Why It Matters This birthday celebration carries profound implications for the future of Tibetan Buddhism and the ongoing political struggle over Tibet. The Dalai Lama's announcement about reincarnation ends years of speculation about whether he might be the last person to hold the role, while highlighting the complex succession question that involves both religious tradition and Chinese political control. His statements directly challenge Beijing's claims of authority over selecting the next Dalai Lama. What To Know Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, has spent over six decades in exile after Chinese troops entered Tibet in 1950. During Sunday's ceremony, hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns joined the celebration as Tibetan musicians played traditional instruments and senior lamas struck cymbals in his honor. The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, raised the Tibetan flag while the Tibetan anthem played. The succession issue remains contentious. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and insists it alone has authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has previously stated his successor will be born in the "free world" outside China, while many exiled Tibetans fear Beijing will name its own successor to strengthen control over Tibet. US actor Richard Gere (R) kisses Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's hand during a prayer ceremony celebrating his 90th birth anniversary at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, on July 6,... US actor Richard Gere (R) kisses Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's hand during a prayer ceremony celebrating his 90th birth anniversary at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, on July 6, 2025. More NIHARIKA KULKARNI/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying The Dalai Lama during a speech before an audience of monks and nuns on Sunday: "When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all. I live my life in the service of other sentient beings." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Dalai Lama has: "Been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader: "Continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace and compassion." Actor Richard Gere in a speech on Sunday: "He is the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet." The Dalai Lama's birthday message: "I am just a simple Buddhist monk" and will "continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values religious harmony." The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, addresses the audience to celebrate his 90th birthday at Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple, on July 06, 2025 in Dharamshala, India. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, addresses the audience to celebrate his 90th birthday at Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple, on July 06, 2025 in Dharamshala, Tibetan Spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, performs prayers during a grant function to celebrate his upcoming 90th birthday at Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple on July 05, 2025 in Dharamsala, India. The Tibetan Spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, performs prayers during a grant function to celebrate his upcoming 90th birthday at Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple on July 05, 2025 in Dharamsala, from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
