The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, turns 90 today.
A day ahead of the occasion, the leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a birthday message with his followers, where he appealed to them to be compassionate towards everyone, and asserted that he will continue to focus on promoting human values and religious harmony.
He wrote: “I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organizing events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts.”
In his birthday message on Saturday, the leader urged his followers to focus on achieving peace of mind, and make the world a better place. “While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place,” he wrote over X.
A devotee looks at a tall layered cake at an event to celebrate Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in Dharamshala, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo)
Even though he does not normally engage in birthday celebrations, he appreciated the fact that many of his followers were using the occasion to “engage in initiatives that highlight the importance of compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism”.
Highlighting his plans, the Dalai Lama said, “As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion.”
90th Birthday Message
On the occasion of my 90th birthday, I understand that well-wishers and friends in many places, including Tibetan communities, are gathering for celebrations. I particularly appreciate the fact that many of you are using the occasion to engage in… pic.twitter.com/bfWjAZ18BO
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) July 5, 2025
He said that he develops determination and courage in his daily life “through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva, whose following aspiration I strive to uphold.”
Quoting Shantideva, he wrote: “As long as space endures, as long as sentient being remain, until then, may I too remain to dispel the miseries of the world.”
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Tibetan school children wait in the rain for the arrival of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to attend an event celebrating his 90th birthday in Dharamshala, India, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo)
Celebrations are also underway within the Tibetan community in McLeodganj on Sunday with a religious conference, youth forum, film screening and prayers for the long life of the Tibetan spiritual leader, news agency PTI reported.
Earlier in the day, following a long life prayer ceremony at Tsuglagkhang, the central Dalai Lama temple in McLeodganj, the spiritual leader shared that he hopes to live for another 30 to 40 years to serve the people, PTI report stated.
The Dalai Lama’s birth anniversary celebrations on Sunday will be attended by cabinet ministers Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, and Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Hollywood actor Richard Gere are slated to attend the ceremony, the report noted.
