A Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday.
China calls him a separatist and has sought to bring the Tibetan-Buddhism faith under its control.
The Dalai Lama is not only a religious leader, he is also a shrewd thinker. He does understand that he is caught geo-politically between India and China.
And hence there are larger issues at play.
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| Dalai Lama in younger days : 1959-60 |
The Dalai Lama is regarded as one of the world’s most influential religious leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism.
Thousands of Tibetan Buddhists were joined by a Hollywood star Richard Gere in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala.
A process to name his successor will also be launched soon. There are apprehensions that China will name a 'rival successor' to the Dalai Lama, bolstering Beijing’s control over Tibet, the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since.
The hilltop temples at Dharamshala echoed with chants, while dance troupes performed with clanging cymbals and bagpipes.
Gere took to the podium at the celebrations with a smile on his face to declare what a "joyous, joyous day" it was "to celebrate this extraordinary life." He then embraced the Dalai Lama, who he said "totally embodies selflessness", and kissed his hand.
Fleeing his home Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the 14th Dalai Lama, along with hundreds of thousands of Tibetans, took shelter in India and has since stayed in India and advocated for a peaceful “Middle Way” to seek autonomy and religious freedom for the Tibetan people.
The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, has turned 90 to cap a week of celebrations by followers during which he flayed China yet again.
Surprising many he said he hopes to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.
Dressed in his traditional yellow and burgundy robe, the Dalai Lama arrived at a Buddhist temple complex to smiles and claps from thousands of monks and followers who had gathered on a rainy morning in the north Indian hill town of Dharamshala, where he lives.
Union Minorities Minister Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which is not recognised by Beijing, attended a function.
The Dalai Lama was flanked on the stage by longtime supporters, including Western diplomats, Minister Rijiju and also noted Hollywood actor Richard Gere.
“As far as I am concerned, I have a human life, and as humans, it is quite natural for us to love and help one another. I live my life in the service of other sentient beings,” the Dalai Lama said.
In a sign of solidarity, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te, leaders of Indian states bordering Tibet, and three former United States presidents – Barack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton – sent video messages which were played during the event.
China protested India's actions regarding Dalai Lama's birthday, urging New Delhi to respect Beijing's sensitivities on Tibet-related issues.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the 14th Dalai Lama is in political exile in India and accused him of engaging in "anti-China separatist activities" for a long time and seeking to separate Xizang from Chinese control.
"India needs to be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang, see clearly the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, honor the commitments India has made to China on issues related to Xizang, act prudently, and stop using those issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs," the Chinese spokesperson said.
"His (Dalai Lama's) message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," PM Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
“It is humbling to realise that you’ve been a leader on the world stage for longer than I’ve been alive,” Obama said, in his message to his “dear friend”.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, also said in a statement, read at the celebrations in India, that Washington was “committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans”.
ends
Amazing part of politics is that anything and everything can be politicized. One can see it as a 90th Birthday Celebration. One can even see it as a Powerful Message which garners support from across the world. One can even see it as anti-China Event. While we wish a wonderful and great health to the Holiness, the official stamp of his successor will be an interesting event. Needless to say that there are going to be two Official Claimants - One chose by Tibetan Govt in Exile and the another chosen by Chines Govt. This shall be the first step towards "dilution" of the sanctity of the position of the Highest Religious Leader of Buddhism. Please note - the pomp & show that the China will extend to its own Candidate, is going to be immense and out of the world. With their extensive technology, psychological operations will be at a very advance stage to showcase the legitimacy of its Candidate. Can the same be countered effectively by the Tibetan Govt in Exile??
ReplyDeleteGod bless us all. -- Sadaiv Vidyarthy