Shewatsel, Leh, Ladakh, India - Today is the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama according to the Western calendar, a joyful celebration of which was held at the Shewatsel teaching ground in Leh, Ladakh. As His Holiness drove in a mini-bus from his residence to the teaching platform, the devout, white silk scarves in their hands lined the way. Smiling, he saluted them as he passed. Close to the platform Snow-Lion, Yak and costumed women dancers were there to welcome him. Thuksey Rinpoché was on hand to greet him, while traditional Ladakhi drummers beat out a welcome.
Full of smiles, His Holiness greeted the estimated 25,000 strong crowd from the edge of the platform. Next, he lit a butter lamp to mark the auspicious opening of the day’s celebrations. Representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha were presented to His Holiness by Chering Dorjay Lakrook, President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Thiksé Rinpoché.
A birthday cake in a form like a ritual cake was presented to His Holiness. He took a pinch and ate it in lieu of ‘cutting the cake’.
Cering Dorjay addressed the gathering: “I prostrate to the Buddha Gautama who, moved by compassion, gave us the teachings to rid us of all wrong views. I greet His Holiness, whose name is Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshé Tenzin Gyatso, members of the Sangha, the Guests of Honour, the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commissioner, Yeshi Wangmo, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Dolma Tsering, and Penpa Tsering, President of the CTA.
“Today, everyone in the audience has gathered to celebrate His Holiness’s 91st birthday. On this occasion, on behalf of the LBA, and Tibetans living in Ladakh, I greet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and wish him a ‘Happy Birthday’. It is our good fortune to have him here among us. I pray that he lives a long and healthy life and that all his wishes may be fulfilled.”
His Holiness was then invited by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the Tibet Museum, to tap an iPad to launch a series of animated films about him inspired by a graphic biography created by Tibet House, New York entitled ‘Man of Peace: The Life and Legacy of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering read a statement from the Kashag, the CTA Cabinet:
“On the auspicious 91st birthday of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, the Kashag, on behalf of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet offer him our deepest prostrations. We extend warm greetings to the distinguished guests, members of the monastic community and people around the world who are celebrating this great occasion with joy and devotion.
“Last year, the Kashag officially announced the worldwide celebration of the Year of Compassion. This was an expression of gratitude to His Holiness for his immeasurable kindness and sought to promote global awareness of his four principal commitments. The first is to promote basic human values; the second is to foster greater harmony among our religious traditions; the third is to contribute to the preservation of Tibet's unique language and culture, as well as the protection of the natural environment of the Land of Snow — and the fourth is to encourage a revival of awareness and understanding of ancient Indian knowledge.
“These commitments represent an extraordinary vision for fostering lasting peace, harmony and well-being for all sentient beings and the world. The CTA has undertaken an extensive program to make these commitments better known. At the same time, religious, humanitarian and community service activities such as raising prayer flags, the rescue of animals destined for slaughter, recitations of the Kangyur, and recitation of mantras have been done. In addition, there have been many acts of public service and compassion such as donation of food, clothing and bedding to the elderly and people with disabilities.
“Throughout the Himalayan region numerous groups and organizations have carried out tree-planting initiatives, environmental clean-up campaigns and other programs in observance of the Year of Compassion. It is also heartening to note that several cities around the world, but especially in the USA, have officially proclaimed His Holiness’s birthday as a Day of Compassion. This is a powerful affirmation of the universal relevance and enduring appeal of his message about compassion, non-violence, interfaith harmony and human values.”
Next, the LBA honoured the Education Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ms Bhanu Prabha, for her work to transform schools in Ladakh. His Holiness presented her with a framed certificate and gave a statue of the Buddha.
There followed a set of songs to celebrate His Holiness and his birthday by Dorjay Stakmo and his group. The lyrics described His Holiness as, “The deity with a white lotus in his hand, you, who gaze upon all sentient beings with compassion, our protector Padmapani. You are like the sun, our Lama, champion of peace, we bow down to you. Your knowledge and compassion are vast as space and deep as the ocean.”
His Holiness was then invited to address the gathering.
“Today, here in Ladakh, people have unwavering faith, devotion and strong spiritual bonds. Many people from around the world have also gathered here. You have been praying that I will live long, and from my side I pray,
Wherever the Buddha's teaching has not spread,
And wherever it has spread but has declined,
May I, moved by great compassion, clearly elucidate,
This treasury of excellent benefit and happiness for all.
“There are people in the world who have no spiritual belief. When I went to China in 1954-55, Mao Zedong told me that religion was like opium. However, practice of the Dharma is not just about propitiating deities and saying prayers. It’s actually about transforming your mind and turning your mind towards the practice of virtue. The significance of the practice of Dharma is to have a calm mind, to train the mind.
“On my part, as soon as I wake in the morning I say this prayer (mentioned above) as Jé Tsongkhapa has written among the dedication verses at the end of his ‘Great Stages of the Path to Enlightenment’. ‘Where the Dharma has not spread, or where it has spread but declined, may I be the one who revives and spreads it out of compassion.’
“We Tibetans of all three provinces — U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo — are devout followers of the Buddhadharma. This teaching of the Buddha has become part of our cultural tradition, so we have learned to discipline our minds and create peace within.
“During my travels I’ve seen that the Buddhadharma has great influence on Chinese people. We Tibetans have become exiles staying in settlements in different parts of India and our Indian neighbours and people from elsewhere, have come to appreciate Tibetans. Please join me in making this prayer, ‘May I, moved by compassion, illuminate the teaching of the Buddha, reviving it where it once spread but declined, and so forth.’
“Everyone prays for peace in the world. I do too through the practice of bodhichitta, the awakening mind, I also make prayers to benefit the teaching and beings as soon as I wake up. I say the above prayer every day and I feel it is being fulfilled. Among Chinese people Buddhism is being revived and is spreading widely. And in many other parts of the world people are taking interest in the teaching of love and compassion. Warm-heartedness, the intention to benefit others, is something that people everywhere admire.
“As soon as I wake up, I reflect on bodhichitta, the altruistic awakening mind, as well as the insight into emptiness. Wherever I go, I have a warm heart and I encourage others to cultivate it too. I try to spread warm-heartedness among other people. ‘May I, moved by compassion, illuminate this treasure linked to happiness, well-being and benefit.
“So, this is my 91st birthday, I’ve reached the age of 91. When I look back on my life, this altruistic thought to help others has been at the core of my practice. This is what I think about the moment I wake up every day. People everywhere seem to admire me because of this sense of warm-heartedness, the thought to benefit others, that I cherish within.
“I’m 91, but according to indications in my dreams it seems I may yet live to be 130. So, I hope to be able to help Chinese people through the teaching of the Buddha and also to help people around the world to lead good, positive lives. This is what I aspire to do — thank you.”
The Ladakhi interpreter translated what His Holiness had said into Ladakhi. Following that, Speaker of the Tibetan-Parliament-in-Exile, Dolma Tsering read out the Parliament’s statement.
“On behalf of Tibetans in Tibet and in exile, the Tibetan-Parliament-in-Exile wishes to express immense joy, devotion and delight in offering heartfelt greetings to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama who is the very embodiment of compassion, the noble protector of the world and friend of all beings. For the Tibetan people there is no refuge, protector or defender but Your Holiness. You are our hope, protector and patron. Out of gratitude we offer these words of prayer:
“In the entire field of noble works of all the Victors, you alone,
Have shouldered responsibility encompassing the entire teaching of the Buddha,
You have attained authority in upholding, preserving and spreading it without discrimination,
We pray to you, the very embodiment of Manjushri.
“Out of gratitude we should unite as one in working for cause of the Tibetan people.
“In the Land of Snows shrouded in the darkness of misery
The magnificent glow of your compassion
Stands relentless in dispensing feelings of succour and well-being.
May you remain unwavering and steadfast until the end of time.”
Students from the SOS TCV School sang and danced in celebration of His Holiness’s birthday. Ashraf Ali Barch offered felicitations on behalf of the Muslim communities in Leh and Kargil. The Ladakh Theatre Organization under the direction of Mipham Otsal performed a short play based on the story of Angulimala, a violent brigand intent on collecting and making a rosary of a thousand human fingers. Encountering the Buddha, he was subdued by the Dharma, coming to understand that violence does not meet with success and that compassion is a sign of strength not weakness.
His Holiness visibly enjoyed a song and dance by All Groups of Ladakh and the following performance by residents of the Tibetan settlement of Sonam Ling. He was also amused to watch the auspicious presentation of people from Chushot village on the far side of the River Indus.
In his words of thanks, the Vice-President of the LGA, Geshé Lobsang Yashi prayed that His Holiness would live long. He acknowledged the Rinpochés, members of the Sangha, the Sikyong and Indian Government officials. He expressed gratitude to His Holiness for his presiding over today’s celebrations. He thanked him for his presence, saying, “Hearing your voice we are filled with joy. As the Buddha predicted, you are Avalokiteshvara. The Land of Snows is your abode. I request you, Your Holiness, to come to Ladakh time and again.”
He thanked those who had given speeches as well as those who had put on entertaining performances. He thanked everyone who had contributed to making the occasion a success and ended with the following prayer.
I pray to you, O Supreme Noble Lotus Holder (Padmapani):
You are the adamantine Gentle Glory who has Mastery of Speech,
Your vase of Sublime Insight is replete with the nectar of Exalted Wisdom,
And you are embellishing jewellery (beautifully adorning)
the Vast playful Ocean of Upholders of Dharma!
His Holiness then left for his residence, smiling all the way, although celebrations went on after he’d gone, while the traditional song ‘Happy Birthday to you...’ was sung merrily with words in Tibetan.
