Dalai Lama turns 90 on July 6, amid celebrations
New Delhi, Jul 2: The quiet Himalayan town of Dharamshala, has transformed into a hub of spiritual festivity this week as the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, marks his 90th birthday om July 6. The celebrations, which began yesterday in accordance with the Tibetan lunar calendar, will culminate on July 6, his official birthday. Thousands of guests, and devotees, including senior ministers, Buddhist monks from across the globe, and international supporters, have gathered in the hill town.
Among the attendees is Hollywood actor and long-time devotee Richard Gere, who joined devotees in offering prayers and paying tribute to the revered leader.
The milestone occasion has been accompanied by a significant spiritual declaration. In a long-anticipated statement delivered from the Library and Archive Centre behind Dharamshala’s main monastery, the Dalai Lama’s office confirmed that there will indeed be a successor after his death. He reiterated that the authority to recognise his reincarnation rests solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which Dalai lama founded, stating emphatically that “no one else has any such authority to interfere.” Responding to a media query, the Dalai Lama noted that when the time comes, the process of identifying his successor will unfold internally, without any further public announcements from him. Penpa Tsering, the head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, backed this declaration, saying the process would be conducted in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He added that the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference had unanimously resolved to support the Dalai Lama’s position on his succession.
According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, senior monks are reincarnated after death, and the Dalai Lama is traditionally chosen only if religious officials are convinced that the candidate harbours the soul of his predecessor. The current Dalai Lama was identified as the 14th incarnation at the age of two.
China vs Dalai Lama
The succession issue has long been a source of geopolitical tension. China, which annexed Tibet in 1950, considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and claims the right to appoint his successor. The Tibetan exile leadership, however, has maintained that any such move by Beijing would be illegitimate.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959, when he fled Tibet following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. After crossing into India, he and his entourage were granted asylum at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh which has become the headquarters of the Tibetan exile movement and the seat of the Dalai Lama’s spiritual and political leadership.
The mood in Dharamshala this week has been celebratory but also reflective. Monks in maroon robes, followers from across continents, and Tibetan families have been participating in prayer ceremonies, cultural performances, and public addresses. For many, the Dalai Lama’s announcement brings a sense of clarity and continuity at a time when questions about the future of Tibetan Buddhism loom large. As the birthday celebrations continue, the focus remains on honouring a man who has not only served as a spiritual leader to millions but also as a symbol of non-violent resistance, compassion, and resilience in exile.
