Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday Message Urges Compassion, Peace

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“I am just a simple Buddhist monk”: Spiritual leader’s Facebook message inspires global followers; Dharamshala marks milestone with days of prayers, cultural events

By TRH News Desk

DHARAMSHALA, July 5, 2025 – On the eve of his 90th birthday, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama delivered a heartfelt message of compassion and inner peace to his global followers through a Facebook post, saying he was moved by the celebrations being held around the world — especially in Tibetan communities.

“I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations,” the Dalai Lama wrote. “However, since you are organizing events focused on my birthday, I wish to share some thoughts,” he stated.

In his message, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate emphasized the importance of altruism, warm-heartedness, and compassion, reminding people that material progress alone is insufficient for a happy life.

“While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone,” he wrote.

The Dalai Lama also reiterated his lifelong commitments — including the promotion of human values, inter-religious harmony, ancient Indian knowledge systems, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and heritage.

“Tibetan culture has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion,” he added.

Celebrations in Dharamshala: A Week of Prayer and Cultural Tributes

The spiritual leader’s message comes amid a week-long series of spiritual and cultural events underway in Dharamshala, where the Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered.

Thousands of devotees, monks, and international supporters have gathered in the hill town for prayer offerings, long-life rituals, traditional dances, and public readings of sacred texts at the Tsuglagkhang Temple complex.

A major highlight was the long-life prayer ceremony on Saturday, attended by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, senior US diplomats, and delegations from Buddhist monasteries across India and abroad.

Rijiju later posted on social media: “HH The Dalai Lama gave blessings at the Long Life Prayer ceremony. His Holiness expressed his intention to continue serving people for another 30–40 years.”

The celebrations also carry deeper significance this year, following the Dalai Lama’s July 2 statement affirming the continuity of his reincarnation tradition, despite Chinese objections. His declaration that “the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue” has been seen as a strong assertion of Tibetan religious independence.

A Global Icon of Peace at 90

Born on July 6, 1935, in Amdo (present-day Qinghai province in China), Tenzin Gyatso was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. Since fleeing Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising, he has lived in exile in India, becoming one of the world’s most respected moral leaders.

As his 90th birthday is marked with festivals, interfaith dialogues, and acts of compassion, his Facebook message echoes the timeless appeal of his teachings: that real change begins within — with kindness and clarity of mind.

The official birthday celebration in Dharamshala will take place on Sunday, with cultural performances and public speeches expected at the temple complex and nearby venues. Delegations from Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia are also in attendance, making this one of the most significant public tributes to the Dalai Lama in recent years.

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