Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - The rain that had fallen heavily during the night eased this morning as His Holiness the Dalai Lama reached the gate to his residence. He was on his way to the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, courtyard to attend a grand celebration of his 90th birthday. According to the Tibetan calendar it fell today, the fifth day of the fifth month. Festivities were organized by the Dhomey Cholkha, people from Amdo. His Holiness was welcomed at the gate by Kirti Rinpoché wearing the Meditation Hat associated with Tashi Lhunpo, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Thupten Lungrig, Supreme Justice Commissioner Yeshe Wangmo and former MP and member of the Organizing Committee Drolma Tsomo.
His Holiness, who was riding in a golf-cart, disembarked from it under the canopy that covers the courtyard and so avoided the rain. As he walked to his seat in the veranda below the temple, he happily acknowledged people greeting him on either side.
The estimated crowd of 7000 were gathered in three venues, the Kalachakra Temple and the Tsuglagkhang, the courtyard, as well as Kirti Gompa and the nearby parking lot. All were packed.
At the head of the courtyard, His Holiness was greeted by Sakya Gonma Rinpoché, the Ganden Tri Rinpoché, Sakya Trizin, Taglung Matrul Rinpoché, other eminent Lamas and members of other Buddhist traditions. Among the guests were representatives of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, Judaism, Jainism and Sikhism, who also came forward to greet him.
Kirti Rinpoché read an extensive tribute to His Holiness in Tibetan entitled ‘A Melodious Symphony of Thunderous Clouds’. It recalled that when both the tradition of incomparable Shakyamuni Buddha and the prosperity of Tibet faced destruction, His Holiness took birth according to his predecessor, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama’s aspiration in Taktser, a place close to Kumbum Monastery. He was recognized as the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and enthroned in the Potala palace. In due course, he took responsibility for Tibet’s spiritual and temporal affairs.
Eventually he was compelled to seek refuge in India. Since then, taking non-violence as his principal objective, he has worked to foster peace and harmony in the world, in connection with which he has firmly advocated demilitarization and the dismantling of nuclear weapons.
His Holiness has advised that in seeking a happy life inner peace is more effective than material well-being.
In trying to resolve the Tibetan people’s quest for freedom he has proposed a Middle Way Approach that seeks mutual benefit through dialogue.
He has clearly demonstrated that Tibetan Buddhism derives from and preserves the authentic Nalanda tradition.
By promoting love, compassion, contentment, patience, and moral discipline and pointing out that cultivating these qualities is the essential teaching of all religions, His Holiness has encouraged mutual respect and admiration across the world's faith traditions and established bridges between them. In this way he has shown himself to be a peerless teacher leading the world towards peace.
Kirti Rinpoché then announced the following: “On this auspicious day, the fifth day of the fifth month of the Wood-Snake Year, in the presence of the great spiritual leaders of Tibet, a representative of the Chinese Buddhist tradition, representatives of the Theravada traditions from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma, as well as representatives from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, Judaism, Jainism, Sikhism and other religious traditions, and the three pillars of Tibetan democracy, the faithful people of the three provinces of Tibet pay homage to you through ourthree doors of body, speech, and mind.
“Allow us to present you a special award. At its base is a long-life vase symbolizing that you remain in the nature of Buddha Amitayus (the Buddha of longevity). Above the vase is a white lotus revealing that although you have appeared in the world, you remain unaffected by its flaws. Upon the lotus is the globe showing that you have chosen this earth to be your domain of enlightened activity. Atop the globe is a seat of sun and moon representing the illumination of the path of the union of emptiness and compassion. On this seat, in the nature of Avalokiteshvara in the guise of a saffron-robed monk, is the “Peerless Spiritual Teacher of the Twenty-first Century”—Your Holiness—standing with your two hands joined in prayer, gazing upon all beings with love and compassion.
“We offer this memento made of precious gold and silver to you, Your Holiness, to symbolize the numerous auspicious connections between you and us, the teacher and disciples. We offer it with joy, faith, delight, and devotion to honour you—the incomparable Great Fourteenth Dalai Lama—as "The Peerless Teacher of the Twenty-First Century". Please bless us under your compassionate gaze.”
The award as described above was presented to His Holiness by the Tibetan spiritual leaders, members of the Tibetan administration and representatives of other religious traditions who were linked together holding an unusually long white silk scarf.
Kirti Rinpoché, Kasur Jetsun Pema and Kasur Thubten Lungrig then offered a mandala and three representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha to His Holiness. Prayers for his long life were conducted focussing on the Song of Immortality—the extensive prayer by his two tutors. This prayer includes the following refrain:
To you, we offer our prayers with fervent devotion:
That Tenzin Gyatso, protector of the Land of Snows, live for a hundred eons.
Shower on him your blessings
So that his aspirations are fulfilled without hindrance.
Tea and ceremonial sweet rice were served. Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Thubten Lungrig addressed the congregation.
“On this special occasion, we have gathered here to honour His Holiness with the title “Peerless Teacher of the 21st Century”. We have recited ‘manis’ and Tara prayers, we have saved lives and cleaned the environment on his behalf. Meanwhile, Kirti Monastery has conducted a week of rituals for His Holiness’s long life.
“When we from Dhomey celebrated his 80th birthday, His Holiness told us we should do so again when he reached 90. This time we have invited representatives of the world’s religions to join us in the offerings we have made.
“We request His Holiness to live long for the benefit of all sentient beings and the Dharma. We ask you to care for us until we too are enlightened. With regard to the statement made in 2011 concerning his reincarnation, since the bond between Avalokiteshvara and the Tibetan people is strong we request that His Holiness will continue to reincarnate. We pray that we will celebrate his 100th birthday in Tibet.”
His Holiness was invited to speak.
“Here we are today on my 90th birthday,” he began. “Although I am now 90 years old, I’m physically healthy and well. All these years I’ve worked for the good of Tibetans and the Dharma. I’ve also established links with people around the world and engaged in useful discussions with scientists. My life has been worthwhile. I’ve visited many other countries and met all kinds of people. I feel my life as a human being has been of benefit to the people of the world and I dedicate the rest of my life to the benefit of others.
“As far as the institution of the Dalai Lama is concerned, there will be a framework for it to continue. I was born in Dhomey and moved to Lhasa where I was able to study. As I already said, I think I have been able to serve the Dharma and sentient beings and I am determined to continue to do so.”
His Holiness was presented with a Tibetan birthday cake and he was offered a slice that he ate. He then uncovered and blessed two thangkas depicting his multitude of meaningful deeds. The Supreme Justice Commissioner Yeshe Wangmo released a three-volume biography of His Holiness. The Speaker, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel released a pictorial book illustrating His Holiness’s life. Finally, Sikyong Penpa Tsering released a two-volume compendium of articles and poems celebrating His Holiness’s achievements.
In several songs and a poetic exposition performed for his birthday, tribute was paid to His Holiness’s four commitments and to his having brought the Nalanda tradition back to India. There were dances by groups from U-tsang, Dho-tö and Dhomey provinces. A closing song and dance proclaimed today a day of happiness and joy.
The Vice-chair of the Organizing Committee presented a financial report of the event. She stated that donations had been received from 17 countries from 40 major donors and 125 others. She announced that any remaining balance of funds raised would be donated to the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Ancient Indian Wisdom in Bodhgaya.
She concluded by praying for His Holiness’s long and healthy life—wishing that he may continue to be the world’s guiding light and that peace and harmony flourish throughout the world.
Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, Chödak Gyatso gave a vote of thanks. He thanked His Holiness for accepting their offerings and requests as they celebrated nine decades of his remarkable life.
“Thank you everyone who has been able to attend this celebration,” he continued, “meanwhile we remember our brothers and sisters in Tibet who don’t have the opportunity to participate with us and who’s freedom to access this event by other means has been curtailed.”
As His Holiness returned to his residence, the expression on his face, and those of the members of the crowd he passed, was full of joy.
