DHARAMSHALA, July 1: The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will turn 90 on July 6, amid speculations that an announcement of His successor may be made on the occasion.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Since then, he has advocated a non-violent “Middle Way” to seek autonomy and religious freedom for Tibetan people, gaining the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
The
Dalai Lama in his speech yesterday said, “Although I am now 90 years old, I’m physically healthy and well. All these years, I’ve worked for the good of Tibetans and the Dharma. I’ve also established links with people around the world and engaged in useful discussions with scientists. My life has been worthwhile. I’ve visited many other countries and met all kinds of people. I feel my life as a human being has been of benefit to the people of the world and I dedicate the rest of my life to the benefit of others.”
AN estimated crowd of 7000 were gathered in three venues, the Kalachakra Temple and the Tsuglagkhang, the courtyard, as well as Kirti Gompa and Among the guests were representatives of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, Judaism, Jainism and Sikhism, who also came forward to greet him.
His Holiness has advised that in seeking a happy life, inner peace is more effective than material well-being.
Sources said the Dalai Lama is to give an important message tomorrow, which may include the announcement of his incarnation.
The Dalai Lama has flagged that he may talk about a potential successor around his birthday. Tibetan tradition holds that the soul of a senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated in the body of a child upon his death.
Tibetans worldwide want the institution of the Dalai Lama to continue after his death and have favoured that His successor be born in the “free world”, which He described as outside China. This was stated in a book, “Voices for the Voiceless”, published earlier this year.
The Dalai Lama has, however, stated that any successor chosen by China, which has piled pressure on foreign governments to shun Him, will not be respected.
“As far as the institution of the Dalai Lama is concerned, there will be a framework for it to continue,” THE Dalai Lama said, adding, ” I was born in Dhomey and moved to Lhasa, where I was able to study. As I already said, I think I have been able to serve the Dharma and I am determined to continue to do so.” (UNI)
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