LONDON: 6th July, 2015: The Office of Tibet hosted a reception at the October Gallery in London on 6th July evening to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday.
More than 80 Guests turned up for the celebration, including Richard Moore, whom His Holiness the Dalai Lama describes as ‘my hero’ and founder of Children in Crossfire, Members of Parliament, diplomats, heads of Tibet Support Groups based in London, academicians with close connections to Tibet, donors linked to Tibet House Trust and long-time friends of Tibet, as well as council members of Tibetan Community in Britain.
Geshe Tashi, spiritual teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Center, started the celebration event on a spiritual note by leading a short prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama.
Mr Chonpel Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his speech welcomed the Guests and thanked everyone for attending the celebrations. ‘‘Today we have gathered to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday, and in some ways this is also a celebration of our friendship and your long-standing support for the Tibetan people.’’ Mr Tsering said. He then introduced the three speakers for the Event.
Firstly, Mr Richard Moore, who has hosted His Holiness for three visits to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, took the stage and spoke from his heart about how His Holiness the Dalai Lama touched his life in a profound way by teaching him the importance of love, forgiveness and compassion. The audience were all deeply moved by his emotional speech.
Then Mr Victor Spence, host and coordinator of three visits to Scotland by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spoke about his personal experiences of hosting His Holiness.
The last of the speakers, Fabian Hamilton MP, also Chair of All Parliamentary Group for Tibet in UK Parliament, thanked the Office of Tibet for the honour to be invited to celebrate the 80th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He referred to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s assurance to live till he would be 113 years, and expressed how lucky and fortunate the world was to have a moral leader like His Holiness live on for another 30 more years.
After the round of speeches, a Tibetan singer Ngawang Lodup entertained the guests with his songs and music, and later members from the Tibetan Community in Britain’s cultural group presented a song in tribute to His Holiness’ 80thBirthday.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Glastonbury appearance and His short speech from the Pyramid Stage there was then shown on a big screen, which was enjoyed by all the Guests.
The Nobel Museum in Stockholm celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday with a day-long event at the Museum that included talks and guided tours of the Museum – that was hosting an exhibition on the life of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Lots of people attended the talks and were fascinated by the exhibition. The organiser at the Nobel Museum said: ‘‘The day was filled with happiness.’’
The Tibetan Community in Britain (TCB) observed the birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by holding a Gala Dinner on 4th July at a hotel in Central London, which was attended by more than 300 Tibetans and friends. Representative Chonpel Tsering read out Kashag’s 6th July Statement to the gathering.
The Latvian friends of Tibet brought out a video message greeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama on His 80th Birthday. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj0_2ZmAL_A&feature=share
Likewise, Tibetans and friends from the countries under the jurisdiction of Office of Tibet, London celebrated the 80th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Events to mark the special occasion.
