DHARAMSHALA: The Offices of Tibet in different parts of the world organised receptions to celebrate the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 78th birthday on 6 July.

In Delhi, hundreds of Tibetans attended the celebrations at TCV Day school at Tibetan Samyeling Settlement. Kasur Tempa Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr Wajahat Habibullah, chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, Government of India, graced the occasion as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively. Tibetan cultural songs and dances were presented and a free lunch was served for all the attendees.

The Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama organised a dinner reception for over 300 Indian and foreign dignitaries, which include foreign diplomats, members of parliament, Indian government officials, intellectuals, educationists, religious figures and Tibet support groups. It also organised an exhibition on more than 250 books authored by and written on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The books are the personal collection of Gonpo Gyal, who was especially invited for the exhibition.

Koreans in Seoul celebrated the day with a grand reception. More the 500 people attended a long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A number of guests, including Mr Ngodup Tsering, Secretary of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration, Mr Lhakpa Tshoko, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in Japan, Korean dignitaries from leading Buddhist organisations and universities in Korea, attended the ceremony. Secretary Ngodup Tsering spoke on the education in exile and he explained the audience how His Holiness the Dalai Lama led the exile Tibetan community making special efforts on education.

In the last decade, there has been a growing number of Korean Buddhists acknowledging the contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the humanity’s well-being. Koreans following his vision and teachings have also increased every year. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a teaching to Koreans from 25-27 August at the request of venerable Jinok Sunim, head lama of Seokcheon Temple, who has been leading the group of Koreans to Dharamsala to attend the teachings for the last ten years. More than 400 hundred Koreans are expected to visit Dharamsala to listen to the teachings.

In South Africa, the reception organised by the Office of Tibet was well attended by over seventy guests comprised senior diplomats from several embassies, including  Japan, Germany, India, Canada, EU and Taiwan.

The day started with a special long life prayer service for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the speedy recovery of former President Nelson Mandela. In his address, Mr Migyur Dorjee, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spoke on the three commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama –  promotion of human values,  promotion of religious harmony and  promotion and preservation of Tibet’s peaceful and non-violent Buddhist culture.

Expressing deep concern over the critical condition of former president Mandela, Mr Dorjee said: “The people of South Africa are not alone and prayers of the peace loving people of the world, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, are with you for his speedy recovery.”

In Taipei, hundreds of people comprising members of the Tibetan community and Taiwanese supporters joined the celebrations organised by the Office of Tibet. The day was marked with prayer service for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life and a live video teleconference by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from South India.

In his address, Mr. Dawa Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, highlighted the remarkable efforts made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s remarkable for the well-being of the Tibetan people, and the promotion of world peace and religious harmony. He thanked the people of Taiwan for their continued support.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday was celebrated in different parts of Australia.

In Sydney the Tibetan Association organised a grand celebration, which was attended by hundreds of people including representatives of Tibetan Buddhist centres, member of Tibetan Parliament, Tibet support groups and local Australian community.

A minute’s silence was observed for all those Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet. A revered Christian spiritual leader spoke about the remarkable efforts made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to promote peace, non-violence and positive human values across the world. Mr Ngodup Gyaltsen, the secretary of the Office of Tibet, read out the statement of Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay on the occasion. It was followed by presentation of cultural performances by the Tibetans.

His Holiness’s birthday was celebrated in Canberra on 5 July. In Melbourne a first-ever two-day Tibet festival was organised, highlighting the issue of Tibet through cultural performances and discussion on the significance of its environment for the world.