By Tenzin Jigme, DIIR Social Media Journalist
As His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama turned 85 on 6 July, warm wishes and greetings poured in from netizens across the globe.
On the morning of his birthday, His Holiness shared a video message saying: “Today is July 6th-my birthday. It is not possible for the gathering of people to hold a big celebration because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also it is not necessary! However, if you want to celebrate my birthday, I would like to ask you to recite ‘OM Mani Padme Hum mantra’ at least a thousand times.”
Following the social distancing guidelines in place, the Central Tibetan Administration held an official 85th birthday celebration at Sikyong hall broadcast live via Tibet TV‘s YouTube and Facebook handles.
A special video greeting from politicians and prominent personalities including former US President George W Bush, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Minister of State of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav, etc was shown to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the same was also screened at the official birthday celebration at Sikyong hall.
Additionally, religious heads of schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon extended their wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama via social media platforms.
As a musical tribute to His Holiness, musicians Junelle and Abraham Kunin from New Zealand released His Holiness’ debut album ‘Inner World’ consisting of 11-track, with birthday messages from Richard Gere and other special guests, and musical performances by acclaimed sitar player Anoushka Shankar and others which was live-streamed via Dalai Lama-Inner World YouTube and Facebook pages.
As a part of the global celebration of the 85th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Frame of Mind Films offered a free global virtual premiere of an award-winning film The Great 14th from 27 to 28 June.
As millions around the world struggle to cope with the physical and mental challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, His Holiness’ message of compassion and oneness of humanity has become all the more relevant and in these stressful times, netizens draw strength and inspiration from His Holiness’ gracious presence and his universally celebrated messages of love, compassion and oneness.
Catch some glimpses of netizens showering love, admiration and prayers for His Holiness the Great Dalai Lama on his 85th birthday: