Dharamshala / Hong Kong
CNN
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Thousands of people gathered in Dharamshala, India on Sunday to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. This is an important milestone in the lives of spiritual leaders and Nobel Peace Prize winners, known for his message of compassion and for seeking greater freedom in Tibet under Beijing’s control.
Unshakable by the heavy monsoon rain and thick mist, the crowds packed narrow streets early in the morning, lining up in large numbers hoping to get a glimpse of the Dalai Lama at the Buddhist complex in Tskrakan-Tibet.
Hundreds of hopeful attendees waited to see if they would be allowed to enter the temple.
The masked dancers in traditional costumes were circling towards the sounds of gongs, pipes and corners as the Dalai Lama was led into the complex by two attendants.
The Indian government minister spoke at the event with Hollywood actor Richard Guerre, a longtime supporter of the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama was offered slices of his birthday cake topped with fresh fruit and white lilies, so the singing performance filled the courtyard.
The rally marked the culmination of several days of celebrations that brought supporters and spiritual heads to a small city in India’s Himalayas hilly region.
Many traveled far to attend celebrations, including Namgal Drujee Gompa in New Jersey, USA.
The 49-year-old told CNN in celebration of his wife and three sons: “This is a very important opportunity for me and my family.”
“Every year, we travel to India, the epicenter of the Tibetan setup in exile, and this is a great opportunity as my children born abroad can return to their roots and learn about the culture and live, so this is a great opportunity.”
In X’s birthday message, the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of fostering a good heart and achieving peace of mind through compassion. What was woven into his reflection was a pledge to continue to promote human values, religious harmony, ancient Indian wisdom and Tibetan culture.
At the ceremony on Saturday, when attendees prayed for his long life, he assured them that he was “great physical condition” and raised his longevity goal to 130 over 20 years, exceeding his previous predictions.
When he was led to the temple, the video showed the Dalai Lama gently swaying to more live music, following outside and leaving the golf cart.
This year’s festival is increasing its importance as a stage for a charismatic leader to address the looming question of what will happen after his death.
In a video message to religious elders on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama announced he would have a successor after his death, confirming that his office has “the sole authority” to recognize his future reincarnation.
“No one else has such authority to interfere with this issue,” the Dalai Lama said in his recorded message.
The statement sets the stage for a struggle over his succession between Tibetan Buddhist leaders in exile and the atheist Communist Party of China.
The announcement of the Dalai Lama was welcomed by many Tibetan Buddhists who awaited his decision on whether the centuries-old facility would end with his death.
Speaking from the crowd, 26-year-old Tenzin Nidong, originally from Orissa, in eastern India, has raised concerns about the “politicization” of China, which “politicized” this process, “with deep respect” for CNN, retaining his reincarnation.
“He considers the future thoughtfully and feels that the decision has made clear that it will be guided by the Tibetan people and Buddhist traditions, not external political interference,” she added.
“At the same time, like many Tibetans, I am concerned about China’s attempts to politicize the reincarnation process by appointing my own Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Buddhists believe in the circle of rebirth, and when an enlightened spiritual master like the Dalai Lama dies, he will be able to choose the place and time of his rebirth through the power of compassion and prayer.
However, religious traditions are becoming a battlefield for Tibetan’s mind and heart rule, and experts hope Beijing will seek to establish its own Dalai Lama after part of a campaign to “stave” religion, which is part of its current religion.
The Dalai Lama previously said that his successor was born in a “free world” outside of China and urges his followers to reject the candidates chosen by Beijing.
Asked about the latest statement from the Dalai Lama on his reincarnation, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday reiterated Beijing’s long-standing stance that the reincarnation of spiritual leaders must be in China, in China and complied with Chinese laws and regulations approved by the central government.
Beijing has long tried to trust the Dalai Lama, but claims he is a dangerous “separatist.”
However, since the 1970s, the Dalai Lama has no longer sought for full independence in Tibet, but claims that they no longer want “meaning” autonomy that allows Tibetans to maintain their distinct culture, religion and identity. His commitment to a non-violent “middleway” approach won him international support and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
However, as China’s political and economic influence grows, the global influence of the Dalai Lama appears to be declining, especially as older people make it difficult to maintain his extensive extermination of the planet. Spiritual leaders have not met the US President since 1991, since Barack Obama in 2016.
However, on his birthday, he received heartfelt messages from world leaders, politicians, lawmakers and artists in a video that was played at the event and edited by Tibetan TV, run by the Tibetan government.
Obama hoped for a “very happy birthday to the youngest 90th birthday I know,” and thanked the Dalai Lama for his friendship.
“You have shown generations the meaning of practicing compassion and speaking for freedom and dignity. It’s not bad for those who describe themselves as a simple Buddhist monk,” he added.
In a statement on X read at the event, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I will join 1.4 billion Indians and spread our warmest wishes to his sacred Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday.
“He was a lasting symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has brought respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued health and long life.”
In an official statement read at the event, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for efforts to preserve the Tibetan heritage.
