Tibetan Buddhist Leader Dalai Lama turns 87 today

The spiritual head of the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, turned 87 on Wednesday.

Various politicians across party lines, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several union ministers, and chief ministers of multiple states, wished the Dalai Lama on his birthday early morning today.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay on Wednesday wished his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, a “long and healthy” life on his 87th birthday. The Chief Minister took to his Facebook page to make the wish.

Sikkim to celebrate the birthday of Dalai Lama in Bhoe-Lha-Sol-Sa, Sera jayDrophenling Monastery Premises Chandmari where PS Tamang will be Chief Guest.

Earlier this morning, the Dalai Lama virtually addressed the occasion of his 87th birthday thanking everyone for the greetings that poured in from all corners of the globe.

Meanwhile, Kashag (cabinet) — the highest executive office of the Central Tibetan Administration — in a statement released on the Dalai Lama’s birthday, made an “appeal” to China to allow the Dalai Lama and Tibetans-in-exile to visit Tibet.

The 14th Dalai Lama is the spiritual head of Tibet and Buddhist until 9 years ago, he was also the Political head. Previous Dalai Lama died in 1933 and it took 4 years to find his successor. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama Picks his own Successor and he would tell his aids before his death, where to look out for a child, who will be his Reincarnation.

The Dalai Lama made the hillside town of Dharmsala his headquarters after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. China doesn’t recognize the Tibetan government-in-exile and accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to separate Tibet from China.

The Dalai Lama denies being a separatist and says he merely advocates for substantial autonomy and protection of Tibet’s native Buddhist culture.

A small celebration of the Dalai Lama turns 87 attended by mostly government officials on Wednesday morning was held at the Central Tibetan Administration. On a projected screen, the Dalai Lama’s video message was played and followed by a cultural performance by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.

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