Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama turned 90 today, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm birthday wishes, describing him as a symbol of love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline. PM Modi took to social media platform X to wish the Dalai Lama good health and a long life, conveying greetings on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians.
Celebrations were held across India, especially in Himachal Pradesh, where the Dalai Lama resides. Special prayers were offered by Tibetan monks at Dorzidak Monastery near Shimla. A day earlier, a large event was held in Dharamshala attended by BJP leader Vijay Jolly and JDU’s Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh. Dharamshala has been the Dalai Lama’s home since he sought refuge in India.
Born as Tenzin Gyatso on July 6, 1935, in Taktser village, Tibet, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. By 1940, he was formally installed as Tibet’s highest spiritual leader. He began his Buddhist education at age six.
The title “Dalai Lama” means “Ocean of Wisdom” in Mongolian. In Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who delay their own liberation to serve others.
Following China’s invasion of Tibet in 1950 and the brutal suppression of the 1959 Tibetan uprising, the Dalai Lama fled to India with over 80,000 Tibetan refugees. Since then, he has lived in India and continues to spread messages of peace and compassion worldwide.
