
Dalai Lama says he hopes to live more than 130 years ahead of 90th birthday
'I have been able to serve the Buddha dharma and the beings of Tibet so far quite well, and I hope to live over 130 years,' the Dalai Lama told thousands of followers who had gathered on Saturday in India's northern town of Dharamshala.
Dharamshala has been the Dalai Lama's home in exile since 1959 after he fled Tibet in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
Since then, he has sustained Tibet's aspirations for greater autonomy under Chinese Communist Party rule and mobilised Tibetans inside and outside China.
On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama said that he intends to reincarnate, paving the way after his death for a successor to take on a mantle stretching back 500 years. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama can choose the body into which he is reincarnated.
That announcement ended years of speculation that started when he indicated that he might be the last person to hold the role.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism also said that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions, while stressing that his office will lead the search.
China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has insisted that only Beijing has the authority to approve his successor.
Meanwhile, the exiled Tibetan community of more than 20,000 people in Dharamshala is gearing up to celebrate the Dalai Lama's birthday on Sunday.
His followers have put up giant posters and billboards across town, as tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event, including Buddhist leaders of various sects and followers from across the world.
Barbara Weibel, a US citizen who has been following Buddhism for more than 30 years, said she 'had to be here for this'.
'I want this long life ceremony to keep him alive as long as possible,' she said.
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Reuters
5 hours ago
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China says Dalai Lama succession issue a 'thorn' in relations with India
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Reuters
a day ago
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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Nasser Sultan recycles suit worn on MAFS to Dalai Lama's 90th birthday event at Parliament House
Nasser Sultan made sure he was in his best dressed on Friday evening when he scored an unexpected invite to the Dalai Lama 's 90th birthday event. The Married At First Sight alum, 58, stepped out at Parliament House in Sydney with his partner, SBS journalist Karla Grant, who interviewed the spiritual leader twice. Arriving as Karla's plus one, as she prepared to deliver a speech at the event, Nasser made sure to look his sharpest as he re-used a suit from his MAFS stint in 2018. He shared video of the outfit to his Instagram Stories, showing off the blue suit with a black undershirt as he stood outside the prestigious event. 'I'm off to the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday dinner at Parliament House with my lovely partner Karla,' he began. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He continued: 'What I'm wearing is this suit. I'm wearing a blue suit. And it's the same suit as I wore on MAFS. I've kept it since 2018, and look at this it still fits.' Nasser shared a slew of content from the birthday event to his socials, including images of chief guest Sikyong Penpa Tsering of Tibet, who sat at his table. The former reality TV star kicked off the night with a tribute to his 58-year-old girlfriend Karla. 'Karla and I are absolutely honoured to be invited to celebrate his holiness' 90th birthday dinner tonight at Parliament House,' he wrote. 'Karla was honoured to interview his holiness twice and has been asked to make a speech. Go girl.' Nasser went on to upload video footage from inside the event which showed tables packed with esteemed guests and monks from Tibet and Australia. Though Nasser was left stunned when he realised he and Karla were to be seated at a table with Sikyong Tsering, the political leader of Tibet. 'Oh my goodness, the president of Tibet is on my table,' he wrote over a video of Sikyong Tsering taking a seat across from him. Arriving as Karla's plus one, as she prepared to deliver a speech at the event, Nasser made sure to look his sharpest as he re-used a suit from his MAFS stint in 2018 Throughout the night, Nasser continued to take video of the celebration and traditional entertainment organised for the event. He also filmed Karla giving her speech, saying he was 'very proud' of his beloved. Nasser then went on to tell his followers, 'We should all be Buddhist. Seriously, the different cultures are to be loved. 'Life is not just white blond or Gold Coast house wife's [sic]. When the kids are united they will never be divided.' Later in the night, Nasser uploaded a photo of himself holding hands with Karla, who wore a black suit and white scarf, as they posed in front of a photo of the Dalai Lama. He finished off the evening with a bizarre video lashing out at the British royal family. 'So, I'm on the steps of New South Wales Parliament House,' he began. 'Just been to the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday and I ask you this: Who would you prefer—the Dalai Lama or bloody Prince Charles?' 'Let me tell you, I prefer the Dalai Lama any day. Prince Charles does nothing. Dalai Lama preaches peace, harmony and good will,' he continued. 'Prince Charles walks around, shakes hands, and pretends he's into it. So, Dalai Lama for me all the way. God bless Dalai Lama.' It comes as thousands of Buddhist followers descended on India with the 14th Dalai Lama to celebrate his 90th birthday, including Hollywood star Richard Gere. Describing himself as a 'a simple Buddhist monk' who usually doesn't celebrate birthday, the Dalai Lama rang in the milestone by praying for peace. The call for peace came after China insisted it would have the final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader. Richard, 75, a practising Buddhist since 1978 and long-time friend of the Dalai Lama, was seen reverently kissing the spiritual leader's hand at the event. The celebration was held at Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.