DHARAMSHALA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s most revered spiritual leader, assured Tibetans and devotees worldwide that he would live at least for more than one hundred years during his grand 80th birthday celebration, organised by the Central Tibetan Administration, Domey Association and Gelug International Foundation.
“Today, the people and deities of Tibet have made prayers for my long life. Doctors also suggest that I could live another 20 years or more. I’m 80 now; let’s plan to celebrate again when I’m 90,” His Holiness told the thousands of Tibetans and devotees, who welcomed the statement with a thunderous applause and cheers.
“Although there is no freedom in Tibet, people there too are praying for my long life, even if they can’t do so openly, but they have faith, devotion and a special connection with me. I’d like to thank you all,” His Holiness said, greeting Tibetans inside Tibet.
The grand two-day celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday was attended by a battery of top Indian leaders including Cabinet ministers Dr. Mahesh Sharma and Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister Mr. Nabam Tuki, Ms. Viplove Thakur, Member of Parliament among others.
In fact, it was the first time in the history of Tibetan exile that a cabinet minister from the central government of India has visited Dharamshala to attend a Tibetan function.
The leaders on their part also expressed their prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life and implored him to take care of his health.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma said, “I came here with the best wishes and prayers of 125 Crore Indians. We pray before god for your long life and to give you more strength, to give you health, to give you courage, to show the path of life and the path of wisdom to the world and to humanity.”
Mr. Kiren Rijiju said, “Being an Indian and a devotee of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I would like to extend my prayers for the long life of His Holiness so that he can continue to bless us with his messages of love and compassion.”
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who attended the second day of the celebration said, ”I heartfully wish for long & healthy life to Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama on his 80th birthday. My affinity to him is bonded by geographical terrain too due to contiguity of the then Bushahr State with Tibet and now I wish to extend this affinity to spiritual domain too.”
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said,”I am deeply honoured to be a part of the 80th birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with the devotees from all over the world. I pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama who is the most revered spiritual leader of our times.”
The head of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition who participated in the celebrations also expressed their profound prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
H.E Sakya Trizin, the head of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism said,” Speaking about the immense contributions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the world and particularly towards Tibetan Buddhism is akin to speaking about the existence of the sun and moon. It need not be mentioned.”
“I am a simple man. However, people continue to respect me. I believe that the respect that people have for me is because of my constant efforts to uphold and abide by the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. That is my biggest pride.”
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is my most grateful teacher. He has repeatedly urged people to try and engage in spiritual transformation. Therefore, it is our spiritual duty to abide by his advice. And if we, as his disciples, can follow his advice, that would be our biggest gift to His Holiness,” Sakya Trizin Rinpoche said, expressing prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
H.E Karmapa Rinpoche, the head of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, in his greeting, expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for leading the Tibetan people through its most difficult period. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people, leading Tibet through one of its darkest periods. Therefore, we are eternally grateful for that.”
Karmapa Rinpoche also made an emotional appeal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to take care of his health for the sake of Tibetan people. Even one day of yours is significant for the Tibetan people, he said, expressing his hope for the good fortune of celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday inside Tibet.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness for accepting the Tibetan people’s fervent prayers to live for more than one hundred years. “I thank His Holiness the Dalai Lama for this auspicious news on this auspicious occasion. This will hearten the Tibetans worldwide to continue their resolve to work for a peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue,” he said.
However, he added that the most important duty of the Tibetan people is to heed the constant advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and continue to pray for his long life.
Sikyong also prayed to the head of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition, requesting them to continue their efforts of preserving Tibet’s religion and culture and pray for His holiness the Dalai Lama.
