Latest news with #YearofCompassion
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tibetan festival marking 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama commences in Mysuru
The four Tibetan settlements in Mysuru-Chamarajanagar districts inaugurated a two-day cultural festival in the city on Saturday to mark the 'Year of Compassion', which commemorates the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. This is in tune with the directive from the Central Tibetan Administration which has declared the period from July 6, 2025 to July 6, 2026, as the 'Year of Compassion', marking the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama. The event is being held at Kalamandira, and the organisers said that this is meaningful to the Tibetans as the 80th and the 90th birthdays of the Dalai Lama hold great spiritual and cultural significance, and is referred to in Tibetan as 'Gyaton' and 'Ghoton' respectively. The Tibetan settlements organising the event are Lugsung Samdupling and Dekyi Larso in Bylakuppe, Rabgayling in Hunsur, and Dhondenling in Kollegal, all of which are under the Central Tibetan Administration. 'This event reflects the collective effort of the local level administration of the Tibetan community in India to honour the 'Year of Compassion', and to celebrate the life and values of the Dalai Lama,' said the organisers. As part of the programme, there will be inspirational talks and exhibitions on the life and teachings of the Dalai Lama, display of Buddhist art, rituals, and traditional Tibetan cuisines, apart from Tibetan cultural performances, according to the organisers. The programme intends to spread the enduring message of compassion and resilience propounded by the Dalai Lama, they added. The Tibetan monks also expressed their gratitude to the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka, and recalled the contribution of late S. Nijalingappa, the then Chief Minister of what was Mysore State, who offered land for Tibetan rehabilitation in the 1960s.
Radio Free Asia
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Radio Free Asia
PHOTOS: Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday, says he hopes to live beyond 130 years
DHARAMSALA, India — Amid the sound of drums, music, and applause, the Dalai Lama stepped into Dharamsala's main temple courtyard on Sunday, his 90th birthday. Welcomed by Tibetan cultural performers, the Tibetan spiritual leader was greeted by schoolchildren dressed in their school uniforms, monks in their traditional robes, and residents, both young and old, dressed in their finest traditional attire. The stage featured a backdrop proclaiming 'Year of Compassion' with images of Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. The Dalai Lama was seated alongside Indian government officials and leaders from the Tibetan exiled government. Also on the dais was longtime Tibetan rights supporter Richard Gere and his son. Birthday messages from international leaders including former U.S. Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama were shared from the stage. 'Your unwavering devotion resonates with all those who cherish freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, values that the people of Taiwan hold dear,' said Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te in a statement. 'In the face of regional and global challenges, we remain committed to fostering a peaceful and sustainable future for the next generations based upon understanding, dialogue.' Sunday's celebration capped a week of events. Wednesday's reaffirmation by the Dalai Lama that the Dalai Lama lineage would continue, with the next reincarnation of the spiritual leader chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit group that he set up, rejecting moves by China to steer his succession. The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated on Wednesday that the selection of a new Dalai Lama must follow Chinese law and that it had to take place in China. Following comments by Indian minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday in support of the Dalai Lama's reaffirmation of his succession plans, China's foreign ministry warned India to be prudent in its words and actions. '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,' said spokesperson Mao Ning. In a statement released Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent birthday wishes and said, 'We support efforts to preserve Tibetans' distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference.' Speaking at Sunday's event in Dharamsala, Pema Khandu, India's Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, said, '[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.'
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hope to live, serve Tibetan beings for 30-40 years more: Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday said that he hopes to live for another 30 to 40 years, until he is 130 years old, days after he said the Gaden Phodrang Trust will be 'solely responsible' for finding his reincarnation. He turns 90 on Sunday. 'I hope to still live for 30 or 40 more years. Your prayers have borne fruit so far…We have lost our country and we live in exile in India. But, I have been able to benefit the beings (of Tibet) quite a lot. So, living here in Dharamsala I intend to benefit, serve beings and the dharma as much as I can,' the Dalai Lama said. He was speaking at the prayer ceremony ahead of his 90th birth anniversary at Tsuglagkhang, the main Dalai Lama temple in McLeodganj. On July 2, the Dalai Lama had announced the 'institution of the Dalai Lama will continue', and his Ganden Phodrang Trust in the office of the Dalai Lama will be 'solely responsible' for finding his reincarnation. The Tibetan government-in-exile has organised a weeklong series of events to celebrate the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. The long life prayers were offered by his followers, the Kashag (council of ministers), Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government-in-exile). The ceremony is considered a prelude to a year-long 'Year of Compassion' celebration, highlighting Tibetans' cultural and traditional legacy. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Hollywood actor and Chair of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Richard Gere, several Indian as well as US government diplomats, senior Lamas, heads of all four Tibetan Buddhism schools were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony. Earlier, the Dalai Lama reached the temple's courtyard from his private residence in a golf cart. Hundreds of Buddhist monks, Tibetan Buddhism followers and tourists thronged the Tsuglagkhang temple to catch a glimpse of the spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama said that ever since he was a child, he had the feeling that he had a strong connection with Avalokiteshvara. 'Looking at the many prophecies, I feel I have blessings of the Avalokiteshvara… today, here we have Gods, and representatives of Gods, and humans gathering the auspicious circumstances for my long life…I have been able to serve the Buddha Dharma and beings of Tibet so far quite well and still I hope to live over 130 years', the Dalai Lama said. On the occasion, the Dalai Lama also recalled meeting Chinese leader Mao Zedong. On Sunday, the Dalai Lama will attend the public programme organised by the Kashag, on behalf of all Tibetan people and address the gathering.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘I still hope to live for over 130 years': Day before 90th birthday, Dalai Lama addresses followers
A visibly emotional Dalai Lama addressed his followers in Dharamshala on Saturday, saying that he hopes to live until he is about 130 years old. The Tibetan spiritual leader turns 90 on Sunday. 'I still hope to live for over 130 years.. We have lost our country and we live in exile in India, but I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot. So, living here in Dharamshala, I intend to serve beings and the dharma as much as I can,' the Dalai Lama said during the long life prayer ceremony, referring to the teachings of Buddha. On July 2, the Dalai Lama had announced that the 'institution of the Dalai Lama will continue', and his Ganden Phodrang Trust in the office of the Dalai Lama will be 'solely responsible' for finding his reincarnation. The long life prayers were offered to the Dalai Lama by his followers, and the Kashag (council of ministers), Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government-in-exile), in a grand ceremony at Tsuglagkhang temple on Saturday morning. Saturday's ceremony is considered a prelude to the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday and the introduction of a year-long 'Year of Compassion' celebration, highlighting Tibetans' cultural and traditional legacy. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Hollywood actor and Chair of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Richard Gere, several Indian as well as US government diplomats, senior Lamas, heads of all four Tibetan Buddhism schools and many others were among the dignitaries who attended the long life prayer ceremony. The Dalai Lama came from his private residence to the temple's courtyard in a golf cart, waving at his followers. Hundreds of Buddhist monks, Tibetan Buddhism followers and tourists from across the globe thronged the Tsuglagkhang temple, amid tight security, to catch a glimpse of the Buddhist spiritual leader. The entire complex was adorned with marigold garlands and vibrant Buddhist flags. The long life prayers were a moving blend of traditional rituals, devotion, and global solidarity culminating in the Dalai Lama's hopeful affirmation for a long life ahead, as his community prepares for his birthday celebrations. On June 30, the Dalai Lama had attended the public programme in honour of his 90th birthday according to the Tibetan lunar calendar (5th Tibetan day of the 5th Tibetan month) along with a long life offering ceremony organised by people of the Dhomey province. On Sunday, the Dalai Lama will attend the public programme organised by the Kashag, on behalf of all Tibetan people and address the gathering.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
15th Tibetan religious conference concludes in Dharamshala
The 15th Tibetan Religious Conference concluded on Friday at McLeodganj in Dharamshala. Sikyong Penpa Tsering announced that the Central Tibetan Administration plans to compile these into a single publicatio. (File) The conference was attended by the religious leaders and representatives of all major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Besides participants, the closing ceremony was attended by chief guest speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering. At the beginning of the conference on July 2, the 14th Dalai Lama's video message was delivered in which the Tibetan spiritual leader affirmed the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama. During the closing ceremony, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, as the incumbent Kalon of the department of religion and culture — the organising department — addressed the gathering. Given the extensive number of formal documents—such as legislations, resolutions, statements, and declarations—issued by various groups from diverse communities, including the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, Sikyong Penpa Tsering announced that the Central Tibetan Administration plans to compile these into a single publication. This compilation will serve as a testament to the widespread support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's reincarnation process and the preservation of religious freedom for Tibetan Buddhism inside Tibet. According to Sikyong, the book will include formal declarations from followers of Tibetan Buddhism and supporters worldwide, across all levels of society. Sikyong also expressed optimism about the prospect of several governments issuing declarations in the coming days, reaffirming their support for non-interference in the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 'As we celebrate this year as the Year of Compassion in honour of His Holiness' 90th birthday, we will exert our fullest efforts in advocating among pro-democracy and freedom-loving communities around the world. The goal is to compile all of these initiatives by the end of the Year of Compassion for future generations,' he said. In a departure from usual protocol, Sikyong noted that a resolution was adopted at the very beginning of the conference, inspired by His Holiness' affirmation of the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama—marking a historic moment. He emphasised that beyond merely adopting resolutions, it is imperative to implement and actualise them.
