Santa Barbara, California: Approximately 300 members of the Tibetan community and friends of Tibet, joined by interfaith leaders, elected officials, and members of the wider Santa Barbara community, gathered at Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday, 27 June, to celebrate the 91st birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The celebration featured keynote address via recorded video by Sikyong Penpa Tsering. The event commemorated both the birthday of His Holiness and the successful completion of the Year of Compassion, launched in honour of His Holiness’ 90th birth year.

Organised through the efforts of Thepo Tulku Rinpoche, the Brian Bargiel family, Kevin Young, Santa Barbara Friends of Tibet, dedicated volunteers, Haydee Perez and Nura and numerous community partners, the event continued a tradition of more than a decade of annual celebrations in Santa Barbara. The City  shares a longstanding connection with His Holiness through his previous visits and the enduring support of local organisations and residents committed to promoting compassion, peace, and understanding.

The celebration reflected one of His Holiness’ most enduring messages – the importance of cultivating universal human values and fostering harmony among the world’s religions. Religious leaders representing Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Sufi, Rumi, Bhutanese, and Native American traditions gathered to offer prayers and blessings for the long life of His Holiness and for peace throughout the world. Among those participating were Father Larry Gosselin, OFM; Imam Wael Hegazy of the Islamic Society of Santa Barbara; and His Eminence Tulku Orgyen Rinpoche from the Odiyana Institute Buddhist Center and venerable Geshe Lharampa Lobsang Yarphel from Chokor Gepel Ling Center LA, Venerable Geshe Lharampa Nawang Sangye from Universal Meditation & Buddhist Learning Center, Anaheim. Venerable Geshe Lharampa Thupten Nyima from Geden Shoeling Buddhist  Center, Westminster, Bhutanese Venerabe Lama Jigzin from Shangpa Kagyu Healing Centre, Los Angeles and Mongolia monk from Orange County, Jeannie Rabin and Fallon Rabin and Reiki Luminary Sound Bath and more. Their prayers and blessings underscored the shared commitment of diverse faith communities to compassion, peace, and mutual respect.

The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors of Trinity Episcopal Church welcomed participants, followed by an opening prayer offered by the Rev. Sarah Thomas, Jeannie  Chumash Elder and Firekeeper Art Cisneros shared a traditional blessing, honouring the ancestral homeland on which the gathering was held.

The programme also featured proclamations recognising the extraordinary contributions of His Holiness from Kristen Sneddon, Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of Santa Barbara; Jennifer Smith, Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of Goleta; the County of Santa Barbara, represented by Slava Kuznyetsov; the Office of California State Senator Monique Limón; and the Office of U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal. The proclamations acknowledged His Holiness’ lifelong dedication to compassion, nonviolence, religious harmony, and the promotion of peace throughout the world.

In his address, Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed gratitude to the cities of Santa Barbara and Goleta, the County of Santa Barbara, local educators, community leaders, and the many faith representatives who came together to honour His Holiness and carry forward his message of compassion. He also noted the longstanding connection between His Holiness and Santa Barbara, recalling that His Holiness had visited the city on several occasions and praising the local community for continuing to advance his vision of a more compassionate and peaceful society through education and interfaith collaboration.

Reflecting on His Holiness’ teachings, Sikyong remarked, “As His Holiness says, I am just one among the eight billion people in this world, and as one human being, His Holiness’ responsibility is to promote human values and inter-religious harmony.”

He thanked the local community for embracing the vision of His Holiness by fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society and encouraged participants to continue the spirit of the Year of Compassion beyond the anniversary celebration. 

Throughout the afternoon, the richness of Tibetan culture was celebrated through traditional music and dance presented by members of the Southern California Tibetan Association Board of Directors, the Tibetan Women’s Group, Tibetan Sunday School Children, and Tibetan musicians. Performances by Norbu of Ojai, Tibetan Artist and Activist Tenpa Jamyang from Northern California, Dawson and the Naadabhoomi Dance Academy, Chog Tsering, the Sherap Faily’s Children, Tibetan Community members from from Los Angeles and local folk duo the Taproots further reflected the spirit of friendship and cultural exchange that has long characterised the relationship between the Tibetan community and the people of Santa Barbara.

Among the featured artistic contributions was a portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama created by Tibetan artist Sonam Chompel. Displayed prominently throughout the celebration, the portrait served as a focal point for prayers and expressions of gratitude, reflecting both the deep reverence of the Tibetan community and the enduring inspiration His Holiness provides to people around the world.

Guests also enjoyed traditional Tibetan and Indian cuisine created by Chef Lhakpa Tsering Team from Northern California while visiting with members of the community. The celebration concluded with the singing of “Happy Birthday” and a ceremonial cake-cutting led by community leaders in honour of His Holiness’ remarkable life of service to humanity.

Organisers expressed heartfelt appreciation to Trinity Episcopal Church for hosting the celebration and Art & Soul and Eva Vega who hosted all the Tibetan over night staying and Edyth Rodacker and Stan who support every Event for last 13 years and continue, we thanked the many volunteers Himalayans and Board of Directors of Tibetan Association of Southern California, SB local businesses, performers, elected officials, religious leaders, and Santa Barbara community organisations and individuals members whose generous support made the event possible.

The Santa Barbara celebration formed part of the worldwide observance of the 91st birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, as Tibetan communities and friends of Tibet across the globe gathered to offer long-life prayers, celebrate Tibetan cultural heritage, and reaffirm their commitment to the universal values of compassion, nonviolence, and inter-religious harmony that His Holiness has dedicated his life to advancing.

The gathering concluded with renewed prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and with a shared commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Tibetan community and the people of Santa Barbara while continuing to uphold the values of compassion, peace, and mutual understanding that His Holiness has inspired throughout the world.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC