Dharamshala gathers to celebrate the 75th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama[Wednesday, 6 July 2010]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (C) with the dignitaries of Central Tibetan Administration on the 75th birthday celebration on Tuesday, 6th July 2010. Photo / Namgyal Tsewang / Tibet.Net

Dharamshala: For
someone who believes that every day is an equal opportunity to serve
humanity, celebrating birthdays would be of little special concern to
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. But amongst his followers
and well wishers, excitement on this auspicious occasion was
unmistakable.    The mood at Tsuglakhang this morning was one
of joyous celebrations. A motley crowd of Tibetans, local Indians and
foreigners packed the main temple courtyard, braving the incessant rain
to wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 75th birthday. The
celebrations began in the early hours of the day with a special prayer
session for the long-life of His Holiness followed by an elaborate
incense burning ceremony at Lhagyal-ri. Inside the residential gates,
family members and top officials of the Central Tibetan Administration
met His Holiness to wish him on the special day.At 9 a.m. local
time, answering the prayers of the thousands gathered to seek his
blessings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a rare birthday public
appearance. The crowd broke into a rapturous applause as His Holiness
flanked by Gyalwa Karamapa and officials of the Central Tibetan
Administration walked into the courtyard.The official function
began with the simultaneous rendition of the Tibetan national anthem by
the artists of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) and
raising of the Tibetan national flag by Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong
Rinpoche. Led by the Kalon Tripa, a ceremonial religious
obeisance was offered to His Holiness by the representatives of the
three pillars of Tibetan democracy. As customary to the July 6
official functions, His Holiness honoured two Tibetan civil servants Mr
Kelsang Gyaltsen, envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr Wangdu
Tsering from the Department of Finance, CTA, with the distinguished
award for their 25 years of dedicated service. Tibetan civil servants,
Mrs Tsewang Dolma Shosur and Mr Guru Nyima from the Department of Home,
CTA were honoured by His Holiness with the distinguished award for
outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields of work. Expressing
the love and gratitude of the local Indian population for His Holiness,
the Lion’s club of Dharamshala and Amar Ujala Publications Ltd., which
runs a popular Hindi newspaper, presented His Holiness with birthday
cards written by local Indian students and residents.The
presentations were followed by commemorative releases of a number of
books by the Kalon Tripa, including ‘The introductory book on Buddhism’
published by the Namgyal Monastery and the English version of ‘The
great Uprisings of 2008’ published by the Dhomey Alliance for Freedom
and Justice.Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche then delivered
the official statement of the Kashag and began with prayers for a long
life of His Holiness on behalf of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.
Stating that Tibetans can never repay the ‘debts of gratitude to His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’ for his benign leadership, Kalon Tripa said,
“However, with a strong sense of the realisation of all that he has
done for us, we would like to re-pledge ourselves today that we shall
put into real practice the many valuable advice that he has given to
us.”  Lauding the contributions of His Holiness in promoting
human values and inter-religious harmony, Kalon Tripa said that His
Holiness ‘while developing a great sense of empathy and compassion for
all sentient beings, has provided enormous service to humanity by
catering to the needs of people with different mental dispositions. ‘Kalon
Tripa also thanked the central and state governments of India and her
people for their ‘assistance and co-operation’ and specifically urged
‘those overseeing the security of His Holiness’ to ‘intensify their
assistance’.Dismissing the accusations and slandering against
His Holiness by ‘a few leaders of the People’s Republic of China’ as
baseless, Kalon Tripa stated that such behaviours have ‘become a source
for the people of the world to view the autocratic Chinese leaders as
the ones who are unable to accept the truth and who rely only on lies
and violence rather than seeking truth from facts.’  Following the Kashag’s statement, Speaker Penpa Tsering delivered the statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.  His
Holiness then addressed the function and thanked his well-wishers and
supporters all over the world for their unconditional love and support.
His Holiness specially thanked the oppressed millions inside Tibet for
their prayers and steadfast support.   “Although you cannot
utter it from your mouths but I know that in your hearts you pray for
me. I thank you for your prayers and unwavering faith,” said His
Holiness.Looking at a large banner depicting a collage of his own
photos through the ages, His Holiness in a lighter vein remarked that
‘his life perhaps was not a waste after all’. “I am proud of
being a Buddhist monk and in my 75 years of existence, I have studied
and practiced the teachings of Lord Buddha and the great masters of
Nalanda”, said His Holiness. “Their teachings, translated into Tibetan
in its pristine form, have helped me realise a deep conviction to serve
the humanity at large till the very end”.His Holiness’ speech
was followed by cultural performances which began with the singing of a
new song by TIPA, specially dedicated to His Holiness on his 75th
birthday. A long and colourful list of dance and song routine followed,
including Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Rajasthani and Tibetan songs and
dances performed by Indian and Tibetans school students and artistes.His
Holiness, after presiding over a part of the performances, paid a brief
visit to an exhibition of the traditional Tibetan art of making
appliqué and embroidery thangka at the Namgyal Monastery before heading
back to his residence. The songs and dances continued into the
afternoon with the Dharamshala Tibetan Shop’s Association serving
community lunch to all.An impressive contingent of foreign
dignitaries, guests and well-wishers were present at the function
including a large group of Chinese expatriates from Australia who had
especially travelled to Dharamshala to attend the ceremonies.    “He
has touched the hearts of millions around the world with his simple
message of happiness and brought the world closer together” said a
student from Ireland. “It is an absolute honour to be blessed by his
presence and may he celebrate many many more birthdays”.  Related: The Statement of the Kashag on the Occasion of the Seventy-Fifth Birthday Celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama