Ahead of the occasion of his 90th birthday on Sunday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared a public message on Saturday, in which he described himself as “a simple Buddhist monk” and urged friends and well-wishers around the world to focus on cultivating inner peace and compassion for the sake of a better world. The following day, thousands of people flocked to the town of Dharamsala in northern India to join in celebrations for His Holiness’ birthday organized by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, which also marked the launch of an international Year of Compassion. 

Alongside the thousands of well-wishers and devotees who gathered to honor the Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Peace prize laureate on Sunday, were senior lamas, Tibetan officials, Indian ministers, and high-profile followers including Hollywood actor Richard Gere.

In his public message, dated 5 July, His Holiness stated:

On the occasion of my 90th birthday, I understand that well-wishers and friends in many places, including Tibetan communities, are gathering for celebrations. I particularly appreciate the fact that many of you are using the occasion to engage in initiatives that highlight the importance of compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism.

I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organizing events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts.

While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.

As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion.

I develop determination and courage in my daily life through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva, whose following aspiration I strive to uphold.

As long as space endures,
As long as sentient being remain,
Until then, may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.

Thank you for using the opportunity of my birthday to cultivate peace of mind and compassion. (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

The sikyong, or head of the the CTA, Penpa Tsering, said in his opening words for Sunday’s celebrations: “Your Holiness, you lead everyone on a path to peace, because of which we pay our respects to you with body speech and mind. In particular, you have taught about your four commitments: promoting human values, religious harmony, ancient Indian wisdom, and preserving Tibetan culture. Consequently, we are dedicating the 12 months from today as a Year of Compassion and we call on our friends and supporters to join us in observing it.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

The Dalai Lama also shares his thoughts with the gathering.

“I regularly reflect on what Shantideva wrote in his book, Entering the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, and I consider all beings as my friends and relatives,” His Holiness noted. “You are attending this celebration happily, with joy in your hearts. Your joy inspires me because I cultivate awakening mind of bodhicitta. As a consequence, many people treat me with respect. If I was selfish and self-centered that wouldn’t be the case.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

The Dalai Lama emphasized the power of the practice of bodhicitta as a foundation for enlightenment, alongside cultivating a view of emptiness, adding that if he were able to continue to his practice through the remainder of his life he would die with a peaceful heart.

“I’m 90 years old today,” His Holiness remarked. “In addition to bodhicitta, I have also worked to cultivate concentration (samatha) and special insight (vipasyana) as well as I could. I feel I have not wasted my life, and although I have the title of Dalai Lama, I’m not proud of myself. As a follower of the Buddha, a bhikshu or monk, serving other people and serving the teaching, these are my main practices.

“Genuine bodhicitta arises gradually, but I am moved to serve others, and the more I do that the greater the joyful response I feel from others,” He concluded. “Many people have gathered here today, not out of any sense of obligation, but out of joy and respect. I appeal to you all to make bodhicitta and an understanding of emptiness your own practice—thank you.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

Words of salutation and congratulations were shared by senior Tibetan monastics and lay leaders, as well as Indian state officials. Messages of tribute were also heard from India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, former US presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, and the president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, among others.

On Saturday, the CTA offered a long-life prayer ceremony for His Holiness on behalf of all Tibetan people, beginning with the seven-line invocation of Guru Padmasambhava and a prayer for the welfare of Tibet, followed by the main ritual for longevity based on a prayer to Amitayus composed by the Fifth Dalai Lama.

Addressing the congregation for the ceremony, the Dalai Lama acknowledged his connection with the bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara and his aspiration to serve the Buddhadharma and the beings of Tibet, and expressed hope that he might live to be 130 years old in order to fulfill this aspiration.

“So we need to engage in methods to bring about happiness and alleviate . . . sufferings that accord with people’s mental dispositions,” His Holiness explained. “Even those with no religious belief strive to be happy and avoid suffering. Modern scientists don’t talk much about religion, but they too seek to be happy and without suffering. Everyone does their best to be happy and to avoid misery. We Tibetans don’t want to suffer we want to be happy. . . .

“As soon as I wake up in the morning, I make a prayer and reflect on bodhicitta in order to fulfill the aims of myself and others. In this way I generate the mind of awakening. I always intend and pray to be able to benefit all beings, including animals. For the last many years, Avalokiteshvara had been there on the crown of my head. I feel his blessings are always there and fall upon me. . . .

“We’ve lost our country and live in exile in India, but I’ve been able to benefit beings. Living here in Dharamsala I intend to benefit beings and the Dharma as much as I can. I visualize Avalokiteshvara on the crown of my head and I trust in him. You too should make prayers to Avalokiteshvara.

“The essence of the Buddhadharma is bodhicitta. We make this prayer—to fulfill the aims of myself and others I generate the mind of awakening. You should do that too. That’s all, thank you.” (Central Tibetan Administration)

Last week, the Dalai Lama formally affirmed that the 600-year-old institution of his spiritual lineage would continue after his death and that his office, the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, would name his successor. He noted that the successor could be of any gender, and not necessarily of Tibetan nationality. The announcement brought to a conclusion years of speculation that the sacred tradition of the Dalai Lama’s lineage might end with him. His Holiness stressed that “no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

See more

90th Birthday Message (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday and the Year of Compassion (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
CTA Offers His Holiness the Dalai Lama Long Life Prayers (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Central Tibetan Administration Offers Long-life Prayers to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Behalf of all Tibetan People (Central Tibetan Administration)
Statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the Occasion of the Commemoration of the 90th Birthday of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama (Central Tibetan Administration)
Statement of the Kashag on the Ninetieth Birthday of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama (Central Tibetan Administration)

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