His Holiness to Grace Tomorrow’s Birthday Celebration
Dharamshala 5 July 2005: For the first time in a long time His Holiness the Dalai Lama will grace with his presence the ceremony of his birthday, celebrated every year with great fanfare by Tibetans across the globe.
“As a Buddhist monk, I do not celebrate my birthday. For me, every morning is like a birthday”, His Holiness recently told a group of scientists who sang birthday songs to him during a conference in Gothenburg, Sweden.
However, in the wake of the worldwide Tibetan expression of gratitude for his leadership, conveyed through a series of programmes including mass prayers, exhibitions, book releases, et al, His Holiness will mark his presence at the official ceremony organised by the Central Tibetan Administration at Tsuglakhang tomorrow on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
Tomorrow’s celebration begins at 6.30 a.m. with an incense burning ceremony at Lhagyal-Ri. The ceremony at Tsuglakhangwill began at 8.50 a.m. TibetNet will webcast live (audio only) the whole event.
During the ceremony, Kalon Tripa and other dignitaries of the Central Tibetan Administration will make Mandala offering to His Holiness, followed by several book releases by His Holiness, including Mahatma Gandhi and His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Non-violence and Compassion, Souvenir: His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama and a biography of Tulku Tenzin Delek.
His Holiness is also expected to address the gathering tomorrow along with Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and Pema Jungney, chairman of the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies.
Tomorrow’s programme also includes a host of cultural programs that will entertain the crowd throughout the day, and a photo exhibition, opening at 11 a.m. at the Tibet Museum, entitled Tribute to Peace Apostles, Mahatma Gandhi and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.