TOKYO: Hundreds of people joined the event marking celebration of the 82nd birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday, 1 July. The programme was organized by Tibet House in Korea.
The throne was adorned with a beautiful portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama painted by a Korean artist.
Around 550 guests attended the ceremony. The guests include 40 abbots from around five Korean religious institutions, representatives from Sri Lanka and Laos and 15 Tibetan monks.
The birthday celebration began with recitation of long life prayer in Korean language and offering of Mendrel Tensum by the chief guest.
Geshe Tenzin Namkha, who is the director of Tibet House, Korea, delivered the introductory speech spoke on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s commitment towards the promotion inter-religious harmony and human values, and preservation of Tibet’s Buddhist culture.
Kasur Jetsun Pema, younger sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was the chief guest of the occasion. Mr. Tempa Tsering, former Kalon and representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, also graced the occasion.
In her key-note address, Kasur Jetsun Pema spoke about the present situation in Tibet, efforts being made to provide sound and holistic education for Tibetans in the Tibetan children’s village and other Tibetan schools in exile, and the robust democratic set up of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The director of Buddhist Television Network also spoke on the occasion.
32 panels exhibiting a detailed biography of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama was put on display during the ceremony. The photos of the exhibition were adapted from a book written by Geshe Tenzin Namkha, the director of Tibet House in South Korea.
A documentary film by Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) team made during its travel to Dharamsala showing the life of Tibetans in exile and interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama was showed during the ceremony.
Tashi Sholpa, a Tibetan dance was presented to the audience on the auspicious occasion.
– Report filed by Tibet House, Japan –
