Central Tibetan Administration Minister Palden Dhondup said the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday was celebrated in the spirit of compassion and ‘brotherhood’ in Gangtok. People from different communities gathered on this occasion and a new Tibetan Community Center was also inaugurated.
Gangtok (Sikkim) [भारत]July 7 (ANI): Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Minister Palden Dhondup on Monday said the 91st birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama reflected a spirit of compassion and ‘brotherhood’. People from different cultures and religions came together at the event in Gangtok, where a new Tibetan community center was also inaugurated.
Speaking to ANI after the inauguration, Dhondup said the Dalai Lama’s birthday was celebrated across the world and he expressed happiness over the participation of people from different communities in Sikkim. He said, “We celebrated it in a grand manner across the world. I was invited by the Department of Culture. And of course, the President of our Central Tibetan Administration also invited me as the guest of honour. But he had to go to Ladakh, so I came here.” He further said, “I felt very happy because all the community representatives of all religions gathered here and celebrated. This is compassion which we are calling ‘brotherhood’. What is ‘brotherhood’? ‘Brotherhood’ in the sense that all different cultures and religions live together warmly. This is what is called compassion. So I feel very good.”
Birthday celebrated around the world
Tibetan Community Center inaugurated in Gangtok as part of Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday celebrations. The festival coincided with events organized in India and abroad to mark the birth anniversary of the Tibetan spiritual leader.
In Dharamshala, thousands of Tibetans in exile gathered at the main Tibetan temple, Suglagkhang, for prayers, cultural performances and official ceremonies organized by the Central Tibetan Administration. Although the Dalai Lama attended the ceremony in Ladakh, devotees in Dharamshala prayed for his long life and good health.
PM Modi gave best wishes
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the Dalai Lama on his birthday, saying his message of peace and harmony has inspired people across the world. In a post on Twitter, the Prime Minister wished the Tibetan spiritual leader a long and healthy life, and praised his moral and spiritual strength and his commitment to global well-being.
Meanwhile, Tibetan Buddhist monks at Dorje Drak Monastery in Shimla offered special prayers for the long life of the Dalai Lama. Devotees hail him as a global icon of peace and compassion, whose teachings continue to inspire millions.
Who is the 14th Dalai Lama?
Born as Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935 in Takster, Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. After assuming temporary leadership of Tibet in 1950, he fled to India following the suppression of the Tibetan national rebellion in 1959 and has lived in exile since, while continuing to advocate peace, compassion, and the preservation of Tibetan identity. (ANI)
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