Taipei, TAIWAN: From prayer assemblies and photo exhibition to musical concerts and literary awards, the grand 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was marked here in Taiwan through a series of events with great pomp and fanfare.
The Taiwan Office of Tibet officially marked the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a grand reception on 5 July, which was attended by nearly 600 people, comprising predominantly Tibetans as well as representatives and members of the Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist Dharma Centers in Taiwan.
Speaking at the reception, Representative Dawa Tsering said that by the grace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama the issue of Tibet has continued to remain alive and relevant in the international consciousness.
He further expressed his gratitude to the Taiwanese people, particularly the followers of Tibetan Buddhism, for their continued support towards the work of the Taiwan Office of Tibet.
Earlier, on 4 July, over a thousand people, including Tibetan monks as well as representatives and members of the Tibetan Dharma Centers attended the grand prayer assembly for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama hosted by the Taiwan International Association of Tibetan Buddhist Dharma.
The grand prayer festival also featured several religious performances, including a special song titled “My root guru”, written and composed by Zogchen Gonpo Rinpoche as an expression of gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 80th birthday, which was performed by Taiwanese singer Helen (aka Yangchen Semo).
The series of events, which began with the Blessing Concert on 21 June, came to a close yesterday with the conclusion ceremony of the four-day photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan culture at the Taipei City Government Hall. A group of young musicians, the Music Dreamers orchestra, also performed at the concluding ceremony.
– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Taiwan –
