Dharamshala — His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's 89th birthday celebrated around the world and Central Tibetan Administration held an event to celebrate his birthday in Dharamshala and special guest MP Shri Tapir Gao said during the occasion, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message of peace and compassion is more relevant than ever in India and around the world. Today we celebrate the 89th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we reaffirm our commitment to the cause of Tibet."
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's 89th birthday celebrates around the world including USA, Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, India and Tibet. Central Tibetan Administration organised an event to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 89th birthday , in Dharamshala on July 6, 2024, in the presence of the chief guest, Sikkim Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, the Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Shri Tapir Gao, a member of Lok Sabha Representing the Arunachal East constituency and accompanied by several other dignitary officials and ministers of Sikkim as well as other distinguished guests such as Bhutila Karpoche, Honourable Deputy Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly, Canada and Namgyal Gangshontsang, Mayor of Oetwil am See, a municipality in the district of Meilen in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland. Hundreds of Tibetans, Monks, Nuns and students around the Dharamshala also attended the celebration.
On the occasion of the celebration of the 89th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, Bhutila Karpoche, the Deputy Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly, Canada addressed to the gathering and she said, "Today, as we celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday, we also express our deep gratitude for his lifetime of work for the Tibetan people and for the world. After his escape from Tibet into India and during the most difficult period in the Tibetan people's history, at just 24 years old, Kundun (His Holiness the Dalai Lama) has the wisdom, the foresight and the leadership to take the critical steps needed to build schools for the Tibetan children in Exile, Tibetan settlements for refugees, to reestablish in Exile, the great monastic institutions which were the sources of Tibetan wisdom and Buddhist knowledge and so much more. I want to recognise it would not have been possible without the generosity and the support from the government and the people of India."
"Imagine a 24-year-old having this vision for his people in Exile and dedicating the next 65 years of his life to achieve it. We are products of his tireless work and his sacrifices, I am a product of his tireless work and sacrifice, we are all his legacy, we are here and we are who we are because of him, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been the spiritual leader of not only the Tibetan people but of people around the world. World leaders look to him for inspiration, his teaching and compassion and oneness has spread to millions and is relevant and needed today if not more. That's why, recently the general assembly of the Asian Buddhist conference for peace unanimously declared his Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama to be Universal supreme leader of Buddhists around the world and declared July 6, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday to be "the Universal day of Compassion," she added.
The MP Bhutila Karpoche explained by saying, "In Canada where I am from his Holiness was granted honorary Canadian citizenship, one of only six people in the world so far to receive this high honor. In Ontario Canada, I was proud to bring forward Bill 131 the Tibetan Heritage Month Act, which is now law and marks July is Tibetan Heritage Month, also in recognition of His Holiness's birthday. There are too many recognitions of His Holiness from around the world to list them all, but I leave you with this, the best birthday gift that we can give to His Holiness is to put into action of his principal commitments, which are to promote World Peace, Religious Harmony and the Oneness of humanity. We wish His Holiness continued good health and long life."
Mayor Namgyal Gangshontsang said during the occasion: "His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been working tirelessly for 65 years for Tibetan cause and for us Tibetans, as well as humanity on the planet. Thanks to the remarkable work of Sikyong and Central Tibetan Administration much has been achieved, included the highly positive developments in the US, for this, I thank all those who are working so hard for the cause of Tibet. I wish His Holiness a happy birthday and wish him very long life."
MP Tapir Gao said, "On the special occasion, we not only celebrates the birthday of spiritual leader, but also honor a man who has dedicated his life to the principle of peace, compassion and understanding, His Holiness journey has been one of the rare, remarkable, courage and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of not only his people, but also great good of humanity."
"His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has been a tireless advocate of non-violence and dialogue as a means of resolving conflict, earning him global recognition and admiration, including receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. His teachings continue to inspire millions of people by promoting the values of compassion, tolerance and universal responsibility. It is my hope and wish that the world will recognise and celebrate the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Compassion Day," the MP added.
"As an Indian, a Member of Parliament and a member of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, I am proud of India's role in supporting the Tibetan community in exile. The presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in India has enriched our cultural and spiritual landscape. His Holiness' teachings resonate deeply with the fundamental values of Indian civilisations and his message of peace and compassion is more relevant than ever in India and around the world. Today we celebrate the 89th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we reaffirm our commitment to the cause of Tibet. The people of India stand in solidarity with their Tibetan brothers and sisters in their struggle against injustice, for human rights and for the preservation of their unique culture and heritage. I sincerely hope that the world will recognise the Tibetan cause and join in resolving the issue and liberate Tibet," MP Tapir Gao concluded.
Sikkim Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang said during addressing the gathering: "I am very happy to celebrate the 89th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. Today, the whole world is benefiting from the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on peace, love and compassion. I know that the people of Sikkim are immensely proud, and I stand beside you today as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. We have immense faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama and wish him on his 89th birthday, good health and long life".
"His Holiness's teachings on compassionate motivation are the most idolatrous and revealing formulations of the current world order and its problems," Chief Minister Tamang added.
"As we celebrate this significant milestone, we pray for His Holiness's speedy recovery and long life. May his vision of a compassionate world flourish, may his tireless efforts to spread love and peace continue, may his wisdom continue to light our way, and may his message spread far and wide, for in a world where understanding and mutual respect overcome all tensions and conflicts, now more than ever the world needs higher souls to bring us back from the edge of deadly hostility," the Chief Minister said.
