Hope to live beyond 130, says Dalai Lama on b’day eve
A day before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama left the Tibetan community in suspense over the much-anticipated announcement regarding his reincarnation. Instead, during a long life prayer ceremony held in his honour by the Central Tibetan Administration, including his cabinet ministers, members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and senior religious leaders, the Tibetan spiritual leader expressed his aspiration to live beyond 130 years.
The two-day religious prayer ceremony for his long life began at Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj, on Saturday morning.
The ceremony was led and presided over by Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, accompanied by Tibetan religious leaders and representatives from major spiritual traditions of Tibet.
Addressing a gathering that also included Hollywood veteran actor Richard Gere and Indian dignitaries such as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and MP Tapir Gao, the Dalai Lama said, “So today here we have gods, representatives of gods, and human beings gathering for my long life and offering prayers sincerely.”
Reflecting on his lifelong devotion to Avalokiteshvara, the Dalai Lama said even as a child, he felt a deep and unmistakable spiritual bond with the bodhisattva of compassion. “So far, I believe I have served the Buddha dharma and the Tibetan people quite well,” he said, adding, “I hope to live for another 30 or 40 years — even over 130.”
Recalling historical encounters, he spoke of meeting both Mao Zedong, who dismissed religion as “poison,” and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He noted that despite their contrasting views, he held compassion for all.
“People have different mental dispositions and interests, and according to that, we must find ways to bring happiness and reduce sufferings,” he said, emphasising the universal pursuit of happiness, whether religious or not.
He spoke of the collective karma of the Tibetan people and their continued devotion to Avalokiteshvara despite being in exile. “Though we are separated from our homeland, deep in my heart, I have never wavered in my faith,” he said. He said his enduring strength was due to the blessings of Avalokiteshvara, whom he visualised daily upon waking up in the morning.
The Tibetan spiritual leader called upon the audience to maintain single-pointed faith and generate the altruistic mind of bodhichitta — the essence of dharma for the welfare of self and others. “I trust in the blessings of Avalokiteshvara. You should, too. That’s all. Thank you,” he concluded.
Earlier in the morning, the Dalai Lama arrived at Tsuglagkhang assisted by two attendants due to age-related frailty. He appeared cheerful and paused multiple times to greet and bless the people who had gathered to pray for his long life.
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