The Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday in Dharamshala, the northern Indian town where he has lived in exile for decades, surrounded by thousands of followers who gathered to mark the milestone with prayers, traditional music, and dance.
The Tibetan spiritual leader addressed the gathering with a message of gratitude and hope, expressing his commitment to continue advocating for compassion, peace, and the well-being of humanity. He shared his wish to live another 20 years to continue serving people and spreading his message of kindness and non-violence.
The celebrations included performances by Tibetan monks and local artists, with colourful displays of cultural heritage and prayers for the Dalai Lama’s health and long life. Followers from around the world also joined in the celebrations, reflecting the Dalai Lama’s influence as a global spiritual figure.
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has since lived in India, becoming a symbol of the Tibetan struggle while advocating for a peaceful resolution and greater autonomy for Tibetans.
As he marked his 90th year, the Dalai Lama reiterated his commitment to the Tibetan cause, while urging his followers to maintain compassion in their daily lives regardless of the challenges they face.
With input from Al Jazeera
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