By Tenzin Dharpo
Dharamsala, July 6: The celebrations to venerate Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday was observed world over today with Tibetans, fans and worshippers alike engaged in merriment and took to wishing the Buddhist leader a ‘happy birthday’, even the Shugden protesters didn’t disappoint with the usual protest contending religious persecution to its worshipers outside the packed Honda Center in Anahiem, California yesterday.
The 80 year old Tibetan leader though didn’t take a day off, attending the 2nd day of the three day ‘Global Compassion Summit’ in Anahiem and cutting an eight foot birthday cake as the audience sung birthday greetings to him. The founder of Friends of Dalai Lama, Ven Tenzin Dhonden Lama said, “The Dalai Lama does not want any physical gifts. For him, this birthday is just like any other day, However, if we can help to create a more compassionate, kind planet, that would be the most beautiful gift of all.”
The Tsuglakhang courtyard near the Dalai Lama’s residence in McLeod Ganj, tuned into a celebratory mode even in his absence with the Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay and Tibetan Parliament in exile Speaker Penpa Tsering along with Indian dignitaries and officials. The public gathered for the celebrations were treated to sweets and cultural performances by students and residents of the hill town.
“The Kashag would like to urge all Tibetans to engage in acts that are consistent with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and at the same time endeavor ceaselessly in preserving, promoting and acting upon traditional Tibetan values.” said Lobsang Sangay in his official speech.
As anticipated, in Tibet the festivities were met with much scrutiny and even crackdown in some parts ever since the celebrations began on June 21, the Dalai Lama’s birthday according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. Tsering Dondrup, 25 was detained last month for sharing a picture of him and his family celebrating in front of a Dalai Lama photo in Manggo village, Rebkong County, eastern Tibet.
