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Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘Have no pride or arrogance… will continue serving sentient beings': Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday
The 14th Dalai Lama marked his 90th birthday on Saturday with a message of gratitude and reflection, addressing a gathering of dignitaries and followers at the Tsuglagkhang temple in McLeodganj. Expressing appreciation for the love and admiration he has received globally over the years, the Tibetan spiritual leader emphasised themes of service, humility, and spiritual commitment. 'Today, all my friends — I wish to say that it is my 90th birthday celebration and you have happily and with great excitement gathered here and with joy in your heart, very strong joy in your heart, you have gathered here,' he said in a brief address. 'I would like to thank you all.' The Dalai Lama noted that his life had been guided by a deep sense of connection with all sentient beings. 'As far as I am concerned, I have a human life. And as humans, it is quite natural for us to have love for each other and help one another,' he said. 'Particularly, since we come from a country where Buddhism, religion, spirituality has spread, there's a strong sense of brotherhood among us.' Known for his advocacy of Bodhichitta, the Dalai Lama said the practice had shaped both his life and his reputation. 'The more number of people gather and the more joy expressed from their heart, I also feel inspired. Because I practice Bodhichitta, the spirit of enlightenment,' he said. 'Instead of focussing on selfish goals to get people's admiration, my focus had been on serving others, holding others dearer than myself. It has really helped me to gather people around me and get their admiration. So, Bodhichitta is very powerful.' (The Dalai Lama practices and strongly advocates for Bodhichitta, which is the mind of enlightenment and the aspiration to achieve Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. He emphasizes that Bodhichitta is the essence of all Buddhist teachings and a key to personal and collective well-being). Reflecting on his life, the Dalai Lama said he had no regrets. 'I would not have to regret my death. I would rather die very peacefully,' he said. 'I am now 90… When I reflect on my life in retrospect, I see that I have not wasted my life at all. But, as having the title of Dalai Lama, I have no pride or arrogance.' 'As a follower of Buddha, as a Bhikshu, monk, my main practices had been to serve people, the public and to serve the teachings of the Buddha,' he continued. 'I live my life in the service of other sentient beings. With this motivation for the welfare of others, the more I do this, the greater positive response I get from others.' In closing his remarks, the Dalai Lama acknowledged the spirit in which attendees had gathered. 'They have not come out of obligation, but out of a deep sense of reverence and respect to me and joy, so I would like to thank you all.' The birthday celebration drew dignitaries from around the world. Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration, welcomed guests, including Union Ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Kiren Rijiju, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, diplomats from the US Department of State and US Embassy, as well as representatives from Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, and others. He also acknowledged a delegation of 'Chinese friends from USA'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered greetings on social media, writing, 'I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths.' Three former US presidents — Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George Bush — sent birthday greetings. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued a statement, saying, '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.' Rubio reaffirmed US support for Tibetan rights, stating, 'We support efforts to preserve Tibetans' distinct, linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference.' Actor and longtime Tibet advocate Richard Gere also spoke at the celebration. 'What a joyous day this is,' Gere said. Describing the Dalai Lama as 'one of the most extraordinary persons who have walked on this planet ever,' he added, 'My own life has been a typical western life… We have never seen anything such like this — complete love, compassion and wisdom.' Gere, chair of the International Campaign for Tibet, said that although he had grown up Christian, it was through the Dalai Lama that he came to understand the full depth of compassion and wisdom. 'HH does not belong to the Tibetans only anymore, he belongs to the world. He belongs to the universe,' he said.
India Today
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why Nitish Kumar is playing the name game
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 2, 2025)In India, and in global spaces to which its heritage speaks, the name 'Gaya' is a suffix in 'Bodh Gaya'—and evokes the Buddha. A place of silence, under a pipal by the banks of the Phalgu, where Gautama attained Buddhahood. Yet, on May 15, something ruffled that quietude. 'Gaya' was being renamed as 'Gayaji'. The whole district. No criticism came, not even from the Opposition, as the Nitish Kumar cabinet cleared this old rechristening proposal. Some, though, noticed a striking departure from Nitish's own record. In over 20 years at the helm of Bihar, he had never before approved the renaming of a single district. In yielding now, months short of an assembly election, he, too, has bathed in a different TO INFINITY: The Vishnupad temple by Phalgu river, Gaya; top-right, the Great Buddha Statue in Bodh Gaya; below, CM Nitish Kumar For, Gaya has another layer of heritage, attached to Hindu belief and practice. In the city, 15 km north of Bodh Gaya, the banks of the Phalgu host the 18th century Vishnupad temple, built on a site swathed in sacred myth. On these sands, believers perform the pind daan to the departed: it's the final and holiest site prescribed for the ritual. The appending of the honorific 'ji', connoting respect, is a nod to this stream of 2010, Nitish had quietly held out against even BJP titan L.K. Advani's passionate call for a restoration of Patna's ancient name, Pataliputra. After Gaya, that idea is in circulation again. What the currency of renaming politics in Bihar shows is Nitish's new vulnerability within the NDA. His once-junior coalition partner, the BJP, has clearly taken over the control room: it's scripting the narrative. BJP stalwarts, who had long lobbied for Gaya's renaming, made no secret of their jubilation. Even members of Nitish's JD(U) voiced public approval, nodding to This is not the only sign of Nitish's recent deference to his ally. In a February cabinet expansion, he took in seven new ministers—all from the BJP, swelling the saffron contingent to 21, overshadowing the JD(U)'s 13 within the 36strong ministry. That was both proof of a new ascendancy, and an accelerator of altered BJP'S NEW DOMINANCEWhat remains to be seen is the comparative tally after ticket distribution later this year. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Nitish had wangled 16 seats and won 12—the same as the BJP's haul from its 17. Yet, in the assembly, 80 chairs are marked saffron (from 37 in 2005). The JD(U) has only 45. The BJP extracts valuable resources from Brand Nitish: his welfarist image, his loyal blocs of women and EBC voters. But it has left in pointed ambiguity the question of remuneration. Nitish still doesn't have the nod as a clear chief ministerial face. For now, he's a useful frontispiece. That the edifice behind him is Hindutva was only reconfirmed at to India Today Magazine
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Nitish plays the name game
In India, and in global spaces to which its heritage speaks, the name 'Gaya' is a suffix in 'Bodh Gaya'—and evokes the Buddha. A place of silence, under a pipal by the banks of the Phalgu, where Gautama attained Buddhahood. Yet, on May 15, something ruffled that quietude. 'Gaya' was being renamed as 'Gayaji'. The whole district. No criticism came, not even from the Opposition, as the Nitish Kumar cabinet cleared this old rechristening proposal. Some, though, noticed a striking departure from Nitish's own record. In over 20 years at the helm of Bihar, he had never before approved the renaming of a single district. In yielding now, months short of an assembly election, he, too, has bathed in a different river. TO INFINITY: The Vishnupad temple by Phalgu river, Gaya; top-right, the Great Buddha Statue in Bodh Gaya; below, CM Nitish Kumar
NDTV
04-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Buddha's Sacred Jewels, Valued At Rs 107 Crore, To Be Auctioned In Hong Kong
A remarkable collection of ancient jewels, once buried beside what were believed to be the Buddha's ashes, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's in Hong Kong this week. Found in 1898 from a stupa in Piprahwa, near the Buddha's birthplace in present-day Uttar Pradesh, the cache includes nearly 1,800 jewels - pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, garnets, coral, amethysts, rock crystals, shells, and gold. These were originally discovered alongside bone fragments identified as belonging to the Buddha. The relics had been preserved in a private British collection for over a century and are now being sold by three descendants of William Claxton Peppe, the British engineer who led the original excavation. Sotheby's has estimated the auction value at around HK$100 million (around Rs 107 crore). "These gem relics are not inanimate objects - they are imbued with the presence of the Buddha," Professor Ashley Thompson, of Soas University of London, said, as per The Guardian. Nicolas Chow, chairman of Sotheby's Asia, called the relics "among the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all time." The auction house described the offering as being "of unparalleled religious, archaeological and historical importance." John Strong, professor emeritus of religious studies at Bates College, said interpretations of the relics vary. While some see them as sacred offerings tied to the Buddha's physical remains, others regard them as symbolic relics representing "the ongoing incorruptibility of the quality of Buddhahood," as per The Guardian. The sale has also triggered criticism from Buddhist scholars and religious leaders around the world, who argue that the relics are sacred and should not be treated as art commodities. "Are the relics of the Buddha a commodity that can be treated like a work of art to be sold on the market?" asked Naman Ahuja, a Delhi-based art historian, as per the BBC. "Since the seller is termed the 'custodian,' I would like to ask - custodian on whose behalf?" Mahinda Deegalle, Buddhist monastic and emeritus professor at Bath Spa University, called the auction "appalling" and a "humiliation of one of the greatest thinkers in the world," as per The Guardian. Chris Peppe, great-grandson of William Claxton Peppe and one of the current owners, defended the decision. He said the family explored donating the relics to temples and museums, but ran into obstacles, adding that the auction was "the fairest and most transparent way to transfer these relics to Buddhists," he told the BBC. Sotheby's said it has conducted the necessary due diligence, including checks on authenticity, provenance, and legality, in line with industry standards. The auction will take place on Wednesday.
