Dalai's b'day celebrated amid diplomatic crossfire
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Gaya: Amid chants of peace and spiritual homage, the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama was celebrated with solemnity and joy at the world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya on Sunday even as the event drew sharp responses from the Chinese embassy and a clarifying statement from India's ministry of external affairs (MEA).
The Chinese embassy in India on Sunday asserted that the Dalai Lama could not decide whether the reincarnation system would continue. Responding, Indian MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The govt of India does not take a position on matters concerning beliefs and religious practices. It has always upheld and will continue to uphold freedom of religion for all in India."
As far as Dalai's birthday celebrations at Bodh Gaya are concerned, the morning ceremony, jointly organised by Namgyal Tibet Monastery and the International Buddhist Council (IBC), began with special prayers, robe offerings and chanting in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions before the statue of the Buddha.
Devotees, monks and lamas from Tibet, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and other countries gathered to honour the spiritual leader and pray for his long life.
District magistrate and Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) chairperson Shashank Shubhankar, who was the chief guest, and BTMC member secretary Mahashweta Maharathi offered butter lamps and traditional 'khadas' before the Dalai Lama's portrait.
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The ceremonial cake was cut in the presence of Venerable Amji Lama, head of Namgyal Monastery. A sangh-dana (community meal offering) followed the prayer session.
Students from a local school performed welcome songs and a birthday dance, adding a cultural dimension to the spiritual gathering. Highlighting the Dalai Lama's global impact, IBC general secretary Bhikkhu Prajnadip said, "His message of peace and compassion has touched millions across the world."
IBC president Tashi Dorjee added, "This celebration is a heartfelt tribute to his enduring legacy of wisdom, peace, and human values.
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In the evening, BTMC held another session with the offering of 1,000 butter lamps, attended by Mahavihara chief priest Bhikkhu Chalinda and other monastic leaders.
The celebrations coincided with strong statements over the future of the Dalai Lama's succession. A senior monk of Chakma Buddhist Monastery, Bhikkhu Priyapal, said, "On the eve of his birthday, His Holiness told us he would live a long life, so the discussion on his successor is premature.
Any decision on succession is purely a religious matter and interference is inappropriate."
"The Tibetan govt-in-exile has a democratically elected prime minister and ministers. Decisions about his successor are a matter of religious freedom and basic human rights," he said.
Bhikkhu Ratneshwar Chakma, general secretary of Watpa Monastery, said, "We follow the Dalai Lama for his emphasis on non-violence, compassion, inner peace and mindfulness."
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