Dharamshala: His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, the spiritual leader of Tibet and the beloved global icon of peace and compassion turned 85 today. Marking a global celebration of His Holiness’ life and legacy, 85 leaders, prominent figures and supporters of His Holiness’ universal message of peace and compassion from around the world have expressed birthday greetings to His Holiness via video messages.

Under the initiative of the Department of Information and International Relations, CTA, the 85 video messages from around the world was released today at the official birthday celebration via Tibet TV.

Heads and important figures of various traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and native Tibetan Bon tradition: His eminence the 42nd Sakya Trinzin, 105th Gaden Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, Nyingma Monlam committee head Kyabje Rigo Tulku Rinpoche, 34th Kyabje Menri Trinzin Lungtok Dawa Dharagyal Rinpoche, and Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche Khen Trul Dorje Lobpon Ngawang Choekyi Nangpa expressed heartfelt greetings and deepest gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his tireless service to humanity and Buddha dharma. They offered prayers for His Holiness to live for aeons and aeons for the benefit of all the sentient beings.

Former US President, George Bush Jr shared an effusive, personal message, “Laura (Former first lady) and I send our very best wishes on your 85th birthday. I admire you, I care for you and I love you.”

US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi greeted in a universal spirit, expressing her support to the Tibetan cause, “May His Holiness’ birthday bring happiness, joy and a year filled with peace and security for all Tibetans and for the world. Happy birthday, Your Holiness.”

Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sport, GOI: I wish him all the very best for his good health and pray for his long life on the auspicious occasion of his 85th birthday.

Robert Badinter, Former Minister of Justice, France: Your Holiness, dear friend, I wish you a happy birthday and many many years to live among us and for our children.

Indian Nobel Peace Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi, playfully and warmly greeted, “We want to see you active for at least a 100 years, make your century.”

Prince Buthelezi, President Emeritus, Inkatha Freedom Party, South Africa: On this 85th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I wish to convey best wishes for His Holiness’ birthday. 

(In Japanese) Birthday greetings from Hiraoka Hidenobu, Director of Seifu Gakuen High School, Japan.

US Congressman, Jim McGovern joined in wishing, “On the 85th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I offer my continued appreciation of his life’s work promoting compassion, peace and human rights for all of the people of the world. Thank you and happy birthday.”

German Minister, President of Hesse, Volker Bouffler, adding to the sentiments wishing health, “We congratulate on birthday to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. You are very close and precious… We wish you stay healthy and all the best for the future.”

Tim Loughton, MP and Co-Chair of APPGT, UK, acknowledged his appreciation for His Holiness, “I wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama a very very happy birthday.  May he continue for long ahead to be a voice of reason, moderation, of peace and of good sense.”

Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram based in India, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati hailed, “Happy Happy birthday to the embodiment of compassion, love and truth, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the saint of the century.”

Archbishop Felix Machado, Archbishop-Bishop of the Diocese of Vasai and Secretary-General of CBCI, India: “I wish my beloved friend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a very happy birthday.”

Kenneth Ian Juster, US Ambassador to India: “I very much enjoy the time we spent together and I only regret that I cannot be with you in person to wish you a very happy birthday.”

Arif Virani, Member of the Canadian House of Commons: “From all of us here in Canada to you, your Holiness, have a very special birthday and many more to come. Thujeche, Tashi Delek!”

Mario Fehr, Councillor of Zurich Canton, Switzerland enthused positively, “Happy Birthday, Your Holiness. Thank you so much for everything you have done for the world peace. I really hope you can return to free Tibet, very, very soon.”

National General Secretary, BJP, India, Ram Madhav said: ”I am deeply honoured to extend my respectful greetings for long life and good health to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 85th birthday.”

Freddy Lim, Taiwanese MP, expressed warm birthday greetings in Taiwanese.

Nirupama Rao Menon, former Foreign Secretary, India: “My warm and most affectionate greetings to His Holiness on this auspicious occasion fo his 85th birthday.”

Michel Raison, Senator, President Tibet Group, France extended warm greetings in French.

Long time supporter of Tibet, Thomas Mann, Former MEP and former President of Tibet Interest Group, EP, Germany said: “Your Holiness, all the best to you on your birthday.”

Kimberley Kitching, Member of Parliament, Australia: Happy Birthday and best wishes to His Holiness.”

Najeeb Jung, Former Lieutenant Governor, Delhi : May you live long and keep your blessing over us.

Kevin Andrews, Member of Parliament, Australia: “My warmest greetings on the occasion of his 85th birthday. Happy Birthday!”

Former National Security Advisor, India, Shivshankar Menon expressed his sincere hopes, “May his teachings, his influence, his practice continue to spread and grow in the years that are to come.”

Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Finland: Your Holiness, my warmest congratulations on your 85th birthday.”

Aloma Sellanes, Uruguay extended birthday greetings in Spanish.

Warren Entsch, MP and Co-Chair of APFG, Australia said: “We are absolutely very proud of everything that you have done, everything that you represent.”

Chris Law, MP, House of Common, UK extended warm greetings by saying: “I want to wish a very happy birthday from myself and from the people of Scotland.”

Kapila Vatsyayan, Classical Art Scholar, India: “My sincere birthday wishes for His Holiness.”

Csaba Sogor, Former Member of European Parliament, Romania: “I wish you health, happiness, long life. Happy Anniversary.”

Marina Mukabenova, Member of the Russian State Duma, Russia said: “Your Holiness, please accept my heartfelt greetings on your 85th birthday.”

Shyam Saran, Former Foreign Secretary, India: “We hope that we will continue to benefit from his blessings and his message of peace for many many years to come.”

(In Japanese) Ven. Hayashi Shuei, Abbot of Jourinji Temple, Japan extended greetings.

Bishop Gunnar Stalsett, 1989 Nobel Committee, Norway, conveyed his warm wishes, “Greetings from Oslo, Norway and blessings on your 85th birthday.”

Monika Wielichowska, Polish Politician, Poland: “On this auspicious day of your 85th birthday, we promise to stand by your side till it happens to your Tibet too.”

Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, South Africa expressed sincerely, “I wish all the best on this wonderful day. Good wishes and prayers that your cause may be realised in your lifetime.”

Bhutila Karpoche, Member of Provincial Parliament, Ontario, Canada: “A very 85th birthday.”

Ian Revell, Former MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Lobby Group, New Zealand: “A very birthday and a long life on the occasion of your 85th birthday.”

Lord David Alton of Liverpool, MP, House of Lord, UK: “May I wish you new blessings and in the old latin phrase, “May you have many many years to come.”

Micheal Danby, Former MP & former Chair of APSGT, Australia: “I wish him and the Tibetan people, a happy birthday.”

(In Japanese) Greetings from Baba Reiko, well-wisher of His Holiness and Tibet supporter, Japan.

R K Khrimey, former MP and Minister, National Convenor, Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India said: “On behalf of the all the Indian Tibet Support Groups, wish you a very long life.”

A good friend of His Holiness, Karel Schwarzenberg who is a former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs extended hearty greetings: “Thank you for what he did, and what he is doing not only to his own nation but to the whole world.”

Linda Fabiani, Deputy Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament, Scotland: “85 years with us. Please stay with us for many many more years and keep smiling.”

B. P Singh, Former Governor of Sikkim, India: “I pray for your long and healthy life. may you continue to guide us.”

Erica Terpstra, Former Dutch MP, The Netherlands: “Big hug, we love you all.”

US Congressman, Andy Levin warmly wished, “Happy birthday to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Ven Jung Woo, the former abbot of Tong Da Sa Monastery, South Korea: “We all join together to offer our deepest reverence and pray for your happiness, good health and long life.”

Bob Brown, former leader of the Greens party, Australia: “Congratulations on 85 years and may the future years be long and happy.”

Giles Ford, son of Robert Ford, Tibet’s radio operator in the late 1940s, from UK said: “Here’s wishing you a year full of good health and great promise.”

Lakhan Mehrotra, Former Ambassador, India: “We are all very grateful to him and he is the most honoured of India.”

Prof. Roland Koch, Former Prime minister of Hessen, Germany said His Holiness “remains an example to all of us for a life based on good values and great tolerance. Happy Birthday.”

With folded hands, a show of deep reverence, Csaba Kiss and wife, Friends of Tibet, Slovakia said“Happy Birthday, Your Holiness.”

Lithuanian MP, Andrius Navickas expressed his warm appreciation to His Holiness: “You have the awesome gift for all people from all nations from all religions.”

Trine Skei Grande, Liberal Party Leader, Norway said: “I wish you a great birthday.”

Mikulas Peksa, MEP, President of Tibet Interest Group (TIG), European Parliament (EP), Czech Republic said: “I want to wish all the best to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his birthday, most importantly good health for many years to come.”

Marco Antonio Karam, Tibet House, Mexico: Wish you a very happy birthday.”

Analjit Singh, Founder chairman of Max-Group, India said: “Wishing you a very very happy birthday.”

Molly Scott-Cato, Former MEP and former Vice-President of TIG, EP, UK said: “it is a real pleasure to be able to wish His Holiness blessings and happiness on this very special day.”

Mr Gilbert Leroy, President AET, France said: “Happy birthday, Your Holiness.”

Dr. Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman, Max Institute of Minimal access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, India: “Pray for his good health and long life.”

Ivan Havell, Younger brother of Czech Republic’s first president Vaclav Havel, Czech Republic said: “I am delighted that you are still around us.”

Claudio Cardellic, a well-wisher of His Holiness from Italy expressed prayers for His Holiness’ long life and prayed that His Holiness will be ‘a part of our existence for many many years.”

Sergiu Matei, prominent photographer, Romania who captured the video of Tibetans crossing the Nangpa Pass to escape into exile and being shot by Chinese authorities in September 2006. He thanked His Holiness for his efforts to make the world a better place and wished “Happy birthday Dalai Lama.”

Lin Yin Meng, Member of Assembly, Taipei also wished His Holiness a happy birthday.

Tanya Svechnikova, Friends of Tibet, Bulgaria said, “Thank you His Holiness for being part of our life.”

Kirsan Illyumzhinov, Former head of the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia said: “Your Holiness, many many happy returns of the day.”

Samuel Cogolati, Member of Chamber of Representatives, the lower house of the Belgian Federal Parliament, Belgium said: “a very Happy Birthday. Thank you for your fight for the environment and for human rights.”

Elisabeth Toutut-Picard, Member of French National Assembly, the lower house of French Parliament, President of Tibet Group in the National Assembly extended greetings in French.

Richard Moore, founder of children in crossfire, Ireland and a close friend of His Holiness said: “I want to wish you a very happy birthday.”

Fernando Salinas, Chile extended warm happy birthday greetings (in Spanish).

Ven. Saito Yugen, Abbot of Hagyuji Temple, Japan said: “I wish you both health and longevity.”

Huang Jui Jou, Member, President, Tibet-Tibet Human Rights C, Taiwan wished His Holiness a warm birthday (in Taiwanese).

Claudia Bonitto, Bogata, Columbia extended heartfelt greetings on the occasion (in Spanish).

Estenban Kong & Karen Villar, Costa Rica said: “We wish you a very long healthy and happy life. We love you.”

Simon Harrison, Secretary, Logistics and Finance, His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visit Trust New Zealand prayed His Holiness to “remain with us in this world for a long long time.”

With a portrait of His Holiness and the Tibetan national flag, the Taiwanese Tibet Support Group expressed cheerful birthday greetings in unison for His Holiness.

Konstantin Anokhin, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia expressed greetings and said: “A very happy birthday and thank you for initiating this engagement between spirituality and science.”

Prof. An Seong Du, Prof. Seoul National University, South Korea wishing His Holiness a happy birthday said: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulations on your 85th birthday.”

Gareth Hughes, MP, Green Party, New Zealand said: “On this day, I hope you can relax, celebrate the incredible achievement across your lifetime and all support you have from across the globe. Happy Birthday.”

Hollywood star and environmentalist, Pierce Brosnan wished His Holiness a “happy birthday on this 85th year of your life. I wish you much love and great joy this day and all the days.”

Carlos Souza Rinchen, Sakya Monastery, Brazil extended sincere birthday wishes (in Portuguese).

Joanna lumley, British Actress and television producer, UK said: “Many happy returns of the day on this 85th birthday. Holiness, we think the world of you.”

Prominent Chinese Civil Rights activist, Chen Guangcheng expressed his warm birthday wishes as well.

A group of Tibet supporters and friends of His Holiness also conveyed their collective greetings on the joyous occasion.