Today, on this auspicious occasion of the 90th birthday celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the crown jewel of both spiritual and temporal realms and the champion of world peace, the Kashag, representing all Tibetans in exile, respectfully offers our deep obeisance and extends heartfelt greetings and felicitations to His Holiness. We also warmly welcome all the distinguished guests who have travelled from near and far to participate in this celebration, as well as everyone around the world who is joining us in celebrating this momentous occasion.
On 2nd July 2025, His Holiness the Dalai Lama magnanimously announced the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama in accordance with the fervent aspirations of the people of Tibet and devoted followers worldwide. This announcement represents an unequivocal assurance for the continuity of religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Tibet and the Tibetan people. On behalf of all the Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile, and Tibetan supporters around the world, we express our boundless gratitude to Your Holiness for this immeasurable blessing. We also extend our deep appreciation to the religious heads and religious representative-delegates to the 15th Religious Conference for their special resolution expressing gratitude to His Holiness, rejecting the Chinese government’s malicious interference in matters of reincarnation, and adopting a unanimous resolution declaring such interference unacceptable. We earnestly pray that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will continue to remain as the beacon of light for the Tibetan people, and may the fortunate disciples continue to receive His Holiness’s uninterrupted blessings throughout all lifetimes.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been universally recognised as the foremost global leader who has dedicated his entire life to practicing and teaching the compassion shastra. The Kashag, in its four recent official programmes, has briefly highlighted the contributions made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama through his four principal commitments in promoting human values, fostering religious harmony, preserving Tibet’s religion and culture along with environmental protection, and reviving ancient Indian wisdom. And we hope that these noble methods for achieving world peace and happiness, will serve as practical guidance for everyone.
The Central Tibetan Administration has announced a ‘Year of Compassion’ to be observed worldwide, beginning from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebration this year. This initiative is aimed at honouring His Holiness’s kindness and spreading His vision. We call upon all Tibetans and friends of Tibet, both individuals and organisations, to begin within their own communities—starting with neighbours, friends, and local associations—to participate in programmes organised by the Central Tibetan Administration and various organisations throughout this year, and to independently undertake efforts, particularly engaging young people, to spread the values of compassion in global community to the best of their ability.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s four principal commitments can be recognised as a wish-fulfilling tree that has grown from the root of compassion and branched out in four directions. In today’s world, which faces interconnected crises including violent conflicts, arms races, trade wars, social fragmentation, moral decay, and climate change, these commitments offer unparalleled and indisputable solutions. His Holiness’s vision encompasses practical frameworks across multiple levels: engaging in virtuous activities and cultivating compassionate views and conduct at the individual level; building compassionate societies through interfaith harmony at the societal level; preserving traditional culture and maintaining the instruction of compassion shastra at the cultural level; and demonstrating the value of compassion through the revival of wisdom at the scientific level. As these comprehensive practical approaches have gained recognition and are being implemented across various sectors in most of the world’s free nations, it brings forth a new ray of hope for the future world.
During more than 66 years of exile, we Tibetan refugees have transformed from exiles who once only knew the sky above and the ground below into what is now recognised as the most exemplary refugee community unlike any other in the world. The foundation of all these achievements is rooted in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings of compassion shastra, which represents the true soft power of the Tibetan people, which can never be subdued by hostile forces blinded by ignorance. The unanimous recognition that governments and peoples of multiple countries have accorded to us Tibetan refugees is undoubtedly a direct result of our practice and implementation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings of compassion shastra. Therefore, it goes without saying that the best way to repay the kindness of our root guru is to put his guidance into practice, and we remind everyone to continue to do so.
On this special occasion today, while the Chinese government continues to forcibly prohibit our Tibetan brethren in Tibet from engaging in even the basic religious activities, such as incense offering and hoisting prayer flags in honour of their root guru’s birthday, the sacred bond between teacher and disciple that is sanctified within each bead of Tibetan prayer rosary and each syllable of the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) cannot be suppressed by tyrannical power. May the day when we Tibetans in Tibet and in exile could freely and jointly celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday soon arise.
The CTA’s celebratory programme for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday has been organised as a yearlong event, with friends of Tibet from around the world participating as our distinguished guests. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the many guests who have come from afar for today’s celebration. Your devotion and support for His Holiness reflects your profound appreciation for the values of compassion and truth, and we encourage you to continue your efforts to spread globally the values of His Holiness’s teachings of compassion shastra based on your understanding and appreciation of them.
In conclusion, we pray that His Holiness the Dalai Lama may live for a hundred eons for the benefit of world peace and the welfare of all beings. May all his noble aspirations be spontaneously fulfilled and without obstacles. The Kashag has thus far served to the best of our capability and with utmost dedication. And on this significant occasion, we encourage everyone to reinvigorate our unity and collective commitment to practicing and implementing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings of compassion shastra.
The Kashag
6 July 2025
* Note: This is a translation of the Tibetan statement. Should any discrepancies arise, please treat the Tibetan version as final and authoritative.
