Hope to live for 30-40 years more: Dalai Lama on eve of 90th birthday
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.On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said that ever since he was a child, he had the feeling that he had a strong connection with Avalokiteshvara."And I have been able to serve the Buddha dharma and the beings of Tibet so far quite well. And still I hope to live over 130 years," he said.The Tibetan government-in-exile has organised a weeklong series of events to celebrate the birth anniversary of the 14th Dalai Lama here.As part of the celebrations, a long life prayer ceremony was held at the main temple that was attended by over 15,000 people.The temple was thronged by devotees, representatives of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism, senior lamas of various monasteries, according to Tenzin Lekshay, the spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration.The Dalai Lama said that though the Tibetans have lost their country and are living in exile in India, he has been able to "benefit beings quite a lot.""Those living here in Dharamshala. I intend to benefit and serve beings as much as I can," he said.On the occasion, the Dalai Lama also recalled meeting Chinese leader Mao Zedong, who famously said: "Religion is poison.""...but I didn't respond to him, so he actually cast a very evil gaze, but I didn't respond. And I felt compassion. Then later I met Nehru. Throughout my life, I have met people who have an interest in religion and those who don't have an interest in religion," the spiritual leader said.He noted that Buddhist scriptures talk about people having different mental dispositions and inclinations, but despite that, everyone strives for happiness.advertisement"Even those who have no religion or belief, they also strive to have happiness and avoid suffering. So all beings on this earth, even Tibetans, we don't want suffering, we want happiness. All of us are the same in that sense. So accordingly, we need to engage in the methods to bring about happiness for them and alleviate their sufferings," he said.The rumours of an announcement of the Dalai Lama's successor have been making rounds since days ahead of his 90th birth anniversary, which have since been refuted in light of increased tension with China on the matter.Penpa Tsering, the president of the Central Tibetan Administration, rejected such rumours by saying, "It doesn't happen like that.""Some are talking as if his holiness is going to die tomorrow or the day after or next year or something. He says he's going to live for another 20 years. So we have to understand the tradition. I think a lot of people came expecting this. His holiness might appoint somebody, or he might say that I'm going to be born in this place at that time. It doesn't happen like that," Tsering said.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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United News of India
43 minutes ago
- United News of India
Firmly committed to promoting freedoms of Tibetans: US, in birthday message to Dalai Lama
Washington, July 5 (UNI) In a direct jibe at China, the US today said it supports efforts by the Tibetans 'to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference'. In a message wishing the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, the US also said it remains firmly committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans. In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: 'The United States extends best wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. 'The Dalai Lama continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace, and compassion. 'The United States remains firmly committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans. 'We support efforts to preserve Tibetans' distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference.' Earlier this week, ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama had announced that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue. He made the statement in a pre-recorded video that aired at the start of a three-day religious conference in Dharamshala, where he has lived in exile since he fled to India in 1959. The English translation published on his website said the search for his successor will be carried out by The Gaden Phodrang Trust, a religious body of Buddhist monks who are part of the office of the Dalai Lama in India. The statement also added that "no one else has any such authority to interfere in the matter', in a snub to China, which had said that it alone has the authority to appoint the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Originally named Lhamo Thondup, the current Dalai Lama is the 14th in the line of leaders, and was born in a family of farmers in 1935. When he was two years old, a search party of the Tibetan government identified him as the reincarnation after showing him several possessions that belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama." In every case, the infant correctly identified those belonging to the 13th Dalai Lama, saying, 'It's mine. It's mine,'" his official website says. "This more or less convinced the search party that they had found the new incarnation." The 14th Dalai Lama was enthroned February 22, 1940, and renamed Tenzin Gyatso. The Dalai Lama has said the search for his successor would be "in accordance with tradition." China has termed the Dalai Lama as a "political exile engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion'. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the spiritual leader "has absolutely no right to represent the people" of Tibet. Mao said that reincarnations of high-ranking lamas must have "approval by the central government' and 'be handled in accordance with national laws and regulations'. China passed legislation in 2007 that says the search for reincarnated lamas must take place within China, and that the government has the final say in recognizing them. UNI RN
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Two new pilgrimage schemes for Buddhist and Sikh devotees: Yogi
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, announced two new pilgrimage schemes—'Bauddha Teerth Darshan Yojana' and 'Panch Takht Yatra Yojana' for Buddhists and Sikh devotees. Chairing a meeting, Adityanath said it is the state's responsibility to help citizens visit sites of religious importance, as pilgrimages are key to spiritual upliftment and social harmony. Under these schemes, financial assistance will be provided to ensure easy access to sacred destinations. According to the Chief Minister, the purpose of the Bauddha Teerth Darshan Yojana is to help Hindu/Buddhist residents of Uttar Pradesh undertake pilgrimages to major Buddhist sites across the country. He directed that Buddhist monks be given priority in the selection of beneficiaries under this scheme. Similarly, the Panch Takht Yatra Scheme will benefit Sikh devotees. Under this scheme, Sikh devotees from Uttar Pradesh will be taken on a pilgrimage to the five sacred Takht Sahib sites of Sikhism. These sites include Shri Anandpur Sahib (Punjab), Shri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar, Punjab), Shri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Punjab), Shri Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazur Sahib (Nanded, Maharashtra), and Shri Harmandir Ji Sahib (Patna Sahib, Bihar). Under both proposed schemes, a minimum of Rs 10,000 per person will be provided as financial assistance. Adityanath instructed officials to implement both schemes through an entirely online application process in partnership with IRCTC, ensuring transparent beneficiary selection and prioritizing economically disadvantaged applicants. Adityanath also directed officials to implement the schemes with the highest focus on the convenience, safety, and religious sentiments of the devotees.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Hope to live, serve Tibetan beings for 30-40 years more: Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday said that he hopes to live for another 30 to 40 years, until he is 130 years old, days after he said the Gaden Phodrang Trust will be 'solely responsible' for finding his reincarnation. He turns 90 on Sunday. 'I hope to still live for 30 or 40 more years. Your prayers have borne fruit so far…We have lost our country and we live in exile in India. But, I have been able to benefit the beings (of Tibet) quite a lot. So, living here in Dharamsala I intend to benefit, serve beings and the dharma as much as I can,' the Dalai Lama said. He was speaking at the prayer ceremony ahead of his 90th birth anniversary at Tsuglagkhang, the main Dalai Lama temple in McLeodganj. On July 2, the Dalai Lama had announced the 'institution of the Dalai Lama will continue', and his Ganden Phodrang Trust in the office of the Dalai Lama will be 'solely responsible' for finding his reincarnation. The Tibetan government-in-exile has organised a weeklong series of events to celebrate the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. The long life prayers were offered by his followers, the Kashag (council of ministers), Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government-in-exile). The ceremony is considered a prelude to a year-long 'Year of Compassion' celebration, highlighting Tibetans' cultural and traditional legacy. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Hollywood actor and Chair of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Richard Gere, several Indian as well as US government diplomats, senior Lamas, heads of all four Tibetan Buddhism schools were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony. Earlier, the Dalai Lama reached the temple's courtyard from his private residence in a golf cart. Hundreds of Buddhist monks, Tibetan Buddhism followers and tourists thronged the Tsuglagkhang temple to catch a glimpse of the spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama said that ever since he was a child, he had the feeling that he had a strong connection with Avalokiteshvara. 'Looking at the many prophecies, I feel I have blessings of the Avalokiteshvara… today, here we have Gods, and representatives of Gods, and humans gathering the auspicious circumstances for my long life…I have been able to serve the Buddha Dharma and beings of Tibet so far quite well and still I hope to live over 130 years', the Dalai Lama said. On the occasion, the Dalai Lama also recalled meeting Chinese leader Mao Zedong. On Sunday, the Dalai Lama will attend the public programme organised by the Kashag, on behalf of all Tibetan people and address the gathering.
