By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, July 6: Tibetans in exile celebrated His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday on Monday. The Tibetan spiritual leader welcomed greetings from all over the world including Tibet supporters, world leaders, and the Tibetan people. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the exile Tibetan government, marked the day by holding a ceremony with Members of Parliament (MPs of TPiE), Speaker Pema Jungney and President Dr. Lobsang Sangay. Numerous organizations, influencers, Tibet support groups, politicians and intellectuals wished the Dalai Lama virtually on a global platform.
CTA President discussed Dalai Lama’s achievements in exile over the decades, noting the international awards and titles he has received; Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, UN Earth Prize in 1991, US Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, the Templeton Prize in 2012 and first rank on the Watkins list of 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in 2020. He emphasised on the contributions made by His Holiness in the Tibetan community, “Today, many around the world view Tibetans as the most successful refugee community with schools, refugee settlements, monasteries and a democratic polity capable of representing and uniting all Tibetans . . . His untiring effort and farsightedness has saved Tibet from becoming a mere footnote in the story of lost and forgotten nations.”
Speaker Pema Jungney in his address gave an overview of the Tibetan struggle with a detailed account of the Dalai Lama’s political and spiritual background to assert the importance of his leadership. He noted recent developments in the international geopolitics concerning Tibet including the Free Tibet Act 2020 introduced in the US House by Representative Scott Perry, Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) formed by the US, EU and Australia, and expressed concern over PLA’s recent incursion in Galwan valley, Ladakh. He further expressed the parliament’s gratitude on behalf of all the people of Tibet to the governments and people of the international community.
Noted Tibetan NGOs, TYC, SFT, ICT, and support groups also wished the Tibetan leader through virtual platforms. Scores of videos emerged in social media through online concerts and talks on Tibet to celebrate the octogenarian leader’s birthday. Compilations of wishes from famous influences were recorded worldwide. The Dalai Lama gave a virtual audience to thousands of viewers on Sunday urging Tibetans to recite Mani mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) and invoke the Avalokiteshvara in their prayers for the occasion.
