Dharamshala: On the auspicious occasion of the 87th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 6 July 2022, Tibetan settlements across India and Nepal joyously celebrated the day by inviting local dignitaries from the respective regions as guests to birthday celebration.

Tibetan residents of Kalimpong observed His Holiness’ birthday at the Sambhota Tibetan School with large gathering where ASP Sheikh Mohammad Azim attended the celebration as chief guest. Former President of the India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) P.T Bhutia and Dr Lobsang from Sakya Monastery also attended the event as guests of honours.

On the same day, Tibetan Settlement Camp of Kullu district celebrated the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Palrabling Tibetan Settlement, Dobhi, with the chief guest Dr. Surender Thakur (SDM Manali).

The Tibetans and communities from Buddhist faith in Shillong also observed the occasion at Gaden Choeling Monastery with profound joy and happiness by offering prayers for the longevity of H.H the Dalai Lama and for World peace.

Shri Dr. L.R Bishnoi, (IPS), honourable DGP to the Government of Meghalaya graced the occasion as a chief Guest. The official ceremony commenced with Tibetan Settlement officer, Pema Dhondup welcoming the Guests and reading out the Kashag’s statement followed by Vice President of LTA Sonam Tsering reading out the statement of Tibetan Parliament in Exile.

The Chief Guest offered his heartfelt greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In his key note address, he acknowledged His Holiness as honoured guest of India and lauded his profound legacy primarily his message of peace and compassion and his tireless promotion of  inter religious harmony as well as advocating for protection of Environment and honoured guest of India.

Furthermore, he applauded the community for the sustenance of Cultural heritage and maintaining harmony in society.

The member of the community and students performed a number of cultural dance and songs to mark the occasion followed by the Luncheon the Guests and public.

On the 7 July, honourable Governor of Meghalaya Shri SatyaPal Mali, visited the monastery to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Birthday.

The honourable Governor visited the main temple to light the butter lamp and offered obeisance. The ceremony commenced with Indian and Tibetan national anthem.

Settlement officer, in his welcome note offered greetings to the honourable governor for the kind visit as a gesture of goodwill and honoured moments for the community. On behalf of Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan community, he thank the Government of India and its people for the unwavering support and hospitality and offered Scroll of Budda Thangka and memento as a token of gratitude.

The honourable Governor addressed the gathering with deep obeisance and warm birthday greeting to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and cut the cake in honour of His Holiness’s. He recalled his meeting with HH on number of occasion and feel so blessed pondering on those auspicious moments. He states that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an advocate of Ahimsa and Karuna derived from Nalanda tradition. Millions of people across the world draw inspiration and wisdom of HH the Dalai Lama’s message of love and compassion. The Governor offered his prayers for long life of HH the Dalai Lama for a peaceful and compassionate world.

The member of the community and students performed cultural dance and songs in honour of the Governor to bring joyfulness to the occasion followed by the Luncheon the Guests and public.

Similarly, the Tibetan settlement in Odisha, Phuntsokling, commemorated His Holiness’ birthday with chief guest Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche and special guest CO Anand Tandi, Commandant of Army Aid College-Gopalpur, where the former talked thoroughly about the four commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The event, collaboratively organised by the settlement office and the His Holiness’ birthday celebration organising committee, also consisted of the bestowal of presents to the farmers and the position holders of the local Sambhota Tibetan School.

The celebration was also observed in the South Sikkim district by the Tibetan settlers of Ravangla Kunphenling Settlement on 6 July. Chief guest of the event, Gyaltseb Rinpoche, attended the ceremony as requested by TSO and consecrated Namgyal Chorten, Mani Dhungyur Khorlo, War Memorial and the board containing list of Tibetan self -immolators. 

The Tibetan Community of Switzerland & Liechtenstein celebrated the occasion by organizing a Tibetan Buddhist religious ceremony and offering prayers for good health and longevity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The prayers and religious ceremony were held at the Tibet Institute Rikon.

On behalf of the Tibet Bureau in Geneva, Tenzin Choesang attended the religious ceremony. While addressing the gathering, she urged members of the Tibetan community to follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice on a daily basis to become a good human being. This would be “best gift” to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, said Tenzin Choesang.

The Tibetan Community’s gathering to mark the 87th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was held in Zurich on 9th July 2022. Zurich Cantonal Councillor Mario Fehr joined with members of the Tibetan community to celebrate the occasion.

Furthermore, the Tibetan Community of Switzerland & Liechtenstein took the moment to extend formal greetings to the new representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Tibet Bureau Geneva Thinlay Chukki. The community also thanked the former representative Chhimey Rigzen for his guidance and moral support for the Tibetan community during his tenure in Switzerland and his long services at the Central Tibetan Administration. A traditional white scarf and greetings to the new Representative Thinlay Chukki and former representative Chhimey Rigzen were offered by the President of the Tibetan Community, followed by Tibet Institute Rikon and all Swiss based NGOs and organizations.

While addressing the gathering, Representative Thinlay Chukki stated a brief gist of Kashag’s statement on the occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday. She urged members of the Tibetan community for their continued cooperation and encouraged all members to take part in the demographic survey. She further assured to continued support and serve the community to the best of her capacity.

Honoring the political and religious legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan national flag and Buddhist religious flag were hoisted for the first time in Geneva on 6th July 2022.