Dharamshala: With immense gratitude and admiration for His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama for his lifelong commitment to global harmony through teachings of love, compassion, and altruism — and in particular, for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan cultural and religious heritage and the well-being of the exile Tibetan community — Tibetans, joined by members of the international community, gathered at the Tsuglagkhang this morning in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and distinguished guests from around the world.
The celebration, organised by the Ghoton Organising Committee of the Central Tibetan Administration, was filled with vibrant festivities and featured a rich array of classical and modern performances by numerous participants from around the world, including the renowned Indian playback singer Mohit Chauhan. The event also included the exchange of mementoes. Video messages from three former Presidents of the United States—42nd President Bill Clinton, 43rd President George W. Bush, and 44th President Barack Obama—were screened before the gathering. In addition, a written message from the Hon’ble President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, was read to the audience.
It was graced by the presence of Chief Guests Hon’ble Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs from the Government of India, along with Guests of Honour, Hon’ble Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and Hon’ble Minister of Sikkim’s Ecclesiastical Affairs, Sonam Lama, Government of Sikkim, as well as Special Guests Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyaltson, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, and actor Richard Gere, the Board Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet.
More than 30 members of a delegation from Arunachal Pradesh attended, including family members of Hon’ble Chief Minister Pema Khandu; Co-Convener of the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, Hon’ble MP Tapir Gao; Hon’ble MLA Phurpa Tsering; Hon’ble MLA Tenzin Glow; and many dignitaries from all branches of the Arunachal State Government and their families. From the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Executive Councillor Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, several other Councillors, and the ADC attended the event. The Secretary of the Government of Sikkim’s Culture Department and other dignitaries also attended. A Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, MLA Sudhir Sharma, was also present on the occasion.
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, Her Excellency Dr. Eliška Žigová, and the Embassy’s Third Secretary, Adam Podhola, were in attendance, along with former U.S. Congressman Ben McAdams and six members from the U.S. State Department and Embassy in Delhi, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Bethany Poulos Morrison. From Italy, former Italian MP and Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs Gianni Vernetti, and from Sri Lanka, MP Harshana Rajakaruna, attended the celebration.
A group of Chinese friends from Taiwan, as well as from overseas, also came to celebrate this momentous occasion. Among them were FUNG Tsz-chung, Secretary General, Hong Kong Outlanders; Tashi Tsering, Secretary, Human Rights Network for Taiwan-Tibet; Lin Hsin-Yi, Executive Director, Taiwan Alliance to End Death Penalty; Chen Weiming, a renowned Chinese artist and Founder of Liberty Sculpture Park; Chiu Chun Wei, an artist from Taiwan; and Professors Ming Xia, Lee Yeau Tarn, and Su Jia‑hong.
Also in attendance were Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche, 43rd Sakya Trizin Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, 105th Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Dorje Pal Sangpo, Kyabje Menri Trizin Rinpoche, Kyabje Minling Khenchen Rinpoche, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Taklung Kyabgon Ghazi Trizin Shabdrung Rinpoche, Khenpo Ngedhon Tenzin, Kyabje Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Taklung Ma Tulku Rinpoche, Kalon Trisur Professor Samdong Rinpoche, and other participants of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference.
From the Central Tibetan Administration, attendees included Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo; Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel; Sikyong Penpa Tsering; Education Kalon (Minister) Changra Tharlam Dolma; Security Kalon Dolma Gyari; Department of Information and International Relations Kalon Norzin Dolma; Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi; Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi; Auditor General Tashi Topgyal; members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile; and Secretaries. Representatives from Tibetan civil societies and a throng of Tibetans and well-wishers also came together to join in the celebration.
The ceremony commenced with a hoisting of Tibetan and Indian national flags by the Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Hon’ble Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, accompanied by the singing of Tibetan and Indian national anthems.
Delivering the introductory remarks following a rendition of Ghoton theme song in Tibetan by artist from Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Sikyong Penpa Tsering extended his heartiest welcome to all the distinguished guests and acknowledged “I must apologise to all those who may have preferred to be personally and physically present here in the presence of His Holiness to celebrate. But unfortunately, as you can see, we have a very small place here in Dharamshala to fit everyone in. And since this is also the monsoon season, we don’t have the privilege of holding the event at a larger venue.” For those in attendance, Sikyong expressed his sincere gratitude for making the effort to join the event, despite the challenges of travelling during Himachal’s torrential monsoon and managing their busy schedules.
Sikyong then announced, “We have a long list of dignitaries from around the world who have sent messages to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” which he said will be screened during the cultural performance programmes on the following days.
Thanking the celebrants across the world for greetings, His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, the Peerless Teacher of the Twenty-First Century, delivered a keynote speech. “As I was born a human being, it is in our innate nature to love and help one another. Particularly, being from a place where religion is flourishing and where a deep sense of cousinly bond prevails, I always contemplate and practice altruism, as it is one of the fundamental practices mentioned in Chodjug (The Way of the Bodhisattva). Recognising all sentient beings as my own kin, I dedicate all my efforts and abilities to the benefit of others.” His Holiness continued, “When a large number of people gather and display their affection, I am all the more inspired and encouraged to practice altruism.”
His Holiness further said that he spent his entire day practising cultivation of Bodhicitta (a mind of awakening) and comprehending Sunyata (emptiness) and reflected on his entire life, which he spent as a simple Buddhist monk upholding the principles of Buddhist teachings. “When I look back on my life, I feel that it has been meaningful. Even though people respect me as the Dalai Lama, I do not take pride in it; instead, I reflect on my own spiritual cultivation.”
In conclusion, His Holiness said, “To the extent that you all show love towards me, I encourage you to equally cultivate Bodhicitta and deepen your understanding of emptiness.”
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, then read the official statement of the Tibetan parliament for the occasion.
Following that, Board Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet and a long-time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, actor Richard Gere, who is accompanied to the celebration by his son Homer James Jigme Gere, addressed the gathering. “I know His Holiness famously doesn’t really care that much about birthdays, but we care about birthdays—especially this birthday. From His Holiness’ point of view, every moment is the birthday, every breath is the birthday, every heartbeat is the birthday. That’s what he’s taught us, and that’s what we should be living—with his openness, love, and compassion for all beings.”
Being a Westerner and having grown up as a Christian, he admired His Holiness’ combination of compassion and wisdom in his teachings. “There is something very sweet that I saw at the religious conference a few days ago, after the proclamation that His Holiness agreed to continue the institution of the Dalai Lama. Many of the lamas who spoke out during the open discussion were openly declaring: ‘Look, His Holiness the Dalai Lama doesn’t belong to Tibet anymore — His Holiness belongs to the world, and he belongs to the universe,'” he remarked.
Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyaltson informed, “In the council, we have created a new portfolio for the Tibetan community and my colleague Mr Tashi Namgyal Yakzee is looking after that,” while extending greetings to His Holiness on behalf of the Ladakhi people and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). He further stated, “I wish to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, guidance, and blessings that you have shown upon the people of Ladakh over the years. In times of difficulty and uncertainty, when we are part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, development seems a distant dream then, but your spiritual presence gives us strength and hope, and your teachings uplifted our spirit and inspired us to persevere. Your Holiness, your charitable activities have touched countless lives in our region through your esteemed institutions such as TCV and SOS schools. You’ve opened the doors of education to the underprivileged, not only among the Tibetan community but also for Ladakhis. Many of our youth who once studied in these schools have risen to serve our society with dedication. Some have even become councillors in LAHDC, Leh, who are working with me now, and some of them are present here today as well. Their achievements are a living testament to your vision and compassion.”
Mentioning that over the past five years, efforts have been made to ensure inclusive development in Ladakh, with over ₹40 crore allocated to Tibetan settlements, and the LAHDC’s commitment to extending welfare schemes and support equally to Tibetan community, he stressed, “This is but a small token of our gratitude for the love and support you’ve given in our times of need. It is now our turn to give back and ensure the well-being of all who reside in Ladakh, and I reiterate that it also includes the Tibetan community.”
“As a devoted Buddhists, we, the people of Ladak,h fully endorse the statement of His Holiness regarding the reincarnation, which he has rightly entrusted to his wisdom and discretion. In our belief, it is ultimately the individual lama and his karma that determine how and whether the lama returns. We deeply respect and uphold this sacred tradition and spiritual practices that guided,” he said. At the same time, the Chief Executive Councillor expressed his profound joy over His Holiness’ upcoming scheduled visit to Ladakh and formally extended a welcome, while acknowledging that Union Territory of Ladakh has designated the month of July as the “Month of Compassion.”
Opening his address by informing that Sikkim is celebrating His Holiness’ birthday today with a plantation drive, the Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs of the Government of Sikkim, Sonam Lama — attending the celebration as a representative of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim — said, “The relationship between the Dalai Lama and Sikkim dates back 500 years. I express my faith that this relationship will continue into the future. Because of His Holiness’ blessings, Buddhism has survived and is flourishing in Sikkim, and we have numerous monasteries.”
He further emphasised that among the various ethnicities of Sikkim, Tibetans also reside in peaceful coexistence and share close relationships with others. While wishing His Holiness a very happy birthday on behalf of the people and the government of Sikkim, he concluded, “I hope His Holiness continues to bless India and the world as he has done so far.”
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, underscored, “His Holiness’ life and teachings have profoundly shaped not only the Tibetan world but have transcended borders and touched millions of hearts across the globe. He is a true apostle of peace, advocating tirelessly for non-violence, interfaith harmony, and universal responsibility. In the world of increasingly moulded by division and discord, His Holiness’ voice remains a beacon of wisdom, clarity, and compassion.”
Admiring His Holiness’ guidance and empathetic nature, he explained, “His Holiness’ unwavering efforts to preserve Tibetan culture, language, and identity have not only kept his spiritual legacy alive but also highlighted the critical ecological and cultural significance of Tibet, the third pole and water tower of Asia.” In particular, the Chief Minister lauded His Holiness’ contributions towards re-establishing all schools and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon in exile—a major initiative that also serves as the revival of the ancient Indian Nalanda tradition and a significant effort that has enabled the entire Himalayan Buddhist region to preserve its rich religious and cultural heritage.
He added, “We, the people of Arunachal Pradesh, share a unique and sacred bond with His Holiness and the institution of the Dalai Lama. Our traditions and ties go back centuries to the time of the great 5th Dalai Lama, under whose patronage, the historic Tawang monastery was established. We take great pride in the fact that the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born in Tawang, a reflection of our deep spiritual connection.” The Chief Minister also spoke about His Holiness’ historic journey into exile via Kenzamani and the lasting impression that His Holiness has left in Arunachal Pradesh.
“We welcome the joyous and unwavering support to the recent reaffirmation by His Holiness on the continuation of the institution of Dalai Lama. The historic declaration has brought clarity and comfort to the millions and millions of people, especially the Himalayan Buddhist communities and reaffirms our collective commitment to uphold the traditional Tibetan Buddhism process for the recognition of his reincarnation in line with the guidance of Gaden Phodrang trust. This decision is not just a spiritual, it is civilizational. It reinforces the value of religious freedom, cultural autonomy, and the sacred responsibility to preserve the Spiritual heritage for future generations,” he concluded.
“You are more than a spiritual leader, you are a living bridge between an ancient wisdom and the modern world,” began the address by Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India. He commended His Holiness for his lifelong dedication to promoting a more compassionate and ethical way of life, and for being a beacon of light in a world strife with conflict. “It is a matter of pride and honour for India and Indians to have you in our midst,” said the Hon’ble Union Minister, as he extended birthday wishes on behalf of the people and the government of India to His Holiness.
He went on to speak about the ancient spiritual ties between India and Tibet, and the profound impact of His Holiness’s teachings. “His application of Bodhicitta ideals in modern leadership, combining wisdom (pragya) and compassion (karuna) skill in the use of means in diplomacy—leading by example through Buddhist practical universal practices—is unique.”
Regarding His Holiness as the most honoured guest of India and the greatest ambassador of the ancient Indian knowledge, he said, “He has always held a view that India can make significant contributions towards world peace through inner peace by utilising ancient Indian knowledge and combining it with modern education. He has time and again reiterated the need for India to revive its ancient knowledge.”
“As a devotee myself, and on behalf of all the millions of devotees across the world, I want to emphatically state that whatever decision, taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the established conventions and traditions, we will fully abide by it and we will follow the directions and guidelines issued from the institution of the Dalai Lama.” The representative from Government of India then recalled his participation in the 80th birthday of His Holiness as well as his attendance during the laying of foundation stone of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya.
“The Tibetan communities inside India have been peaceful. They have made positive contributions in many ways,” remarked Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju and assured his continued support towards Tibetans. “I have always held a view that there is a need for us to contribute significantly towards the cause of the Tibetan people.” With appreciation to the Central Tibetan Administration for declaring the year-long duration from 6 July 2025 to 5 July 2025 as the “Year of Compassion”, he concluded his address.
The final speaker of the event, Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of India, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, better known as Lalan Singh, who hails from Bihar, apprised how a prince named Siddhartha journey into enlightened one and how his teachings were latter introduced into Tibet by numerous scholars and yogis in 5th and 6th centuries and its flourishing in the far extends of east Asia in various forms. “Even today, the teachings of Buddha can be heard in Bihar.”
Echoing the words of other distinguished speakers, Hon’ble Rajiv Ranjan Singh also shared his admiration towards His Holiness for his teachings that were deeply rooted in the teachings of Buddha and the great masters of ancient Nalanda tradition. “The upcoming Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya is being founded as a multidisciplinary institute inspired by the Nalanda Tradition. We’ll get to witness its progress as it unfolds.”
Wishing His Holiness a long life and continued success in spreading his message of peace and compassion across the world—guiding humanity toward a more harmonious and hopeful future—the Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying of India concluded his address.
Sikyong read the birthday wishes from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi, which read, “I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life.”
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Bethany Poulos Morrison, read a message from the Secretary of the United States Department of State, Marco Rubio.
Following the speeches, the ceremonial cake cutting was held, and a Biography of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama in English was launched. The service excellent awards were bestowed upon two Central Tibetan Administration staff, namely Tibetan Settlement Officer Tsewang Yangtso and Tibet TV’s anchor Tenzin Sidup. Similarly, recognition awards were conferred to three Central Tibetan Administration staff, namely, additional Secretary Namgyal Tsewang, Department of Information and International Relations; Joint Secretary Nyima Tsering, Department of Security; and Joint Secretary Namgyal Gedun, Department of Health.
Following a vibrant performance by various artists groups from around the world, the grand celebration successfully concluded with a vote of thanks from Cabinet Secretary Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi, the Chairman of the Ghoton Organising Committee.
