The Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, turns 90 on Sunday. His supporters celebrated for a week, during which he once again infuriated China and expressed his desire to live until 130 and reincarnate after passing away. Though Beijing labels him a separatist and has attempted to subjugate Buddhism, the Nobel winner is considered one of the most powerful religious leaders in the world, with a fan base that goes far beyond Buddhism.
In 1959, after an unsuccessful rebellion against Chinese control, the 14th Dalai Lama fled his home country of Tibet and sought refuge in India alongside hundreds of thousands of other Tibetans. Since then, he has promoted a nonviolent “Middle Way” for Tibetans to pursue religious freedom and sovereignty.
His birthday festivities in Dharamshala. A small Indian hamlet in the foothills of the Himalayas where the Dalai Lama resides. He draw thousands of supporters from across the globe, celebrities, and Indian and American authorities.
Fears of hostilities between Indo-Sino
The Dalai Lama’s “statement affirming the continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama” ahead of his birthday raised concerns about Indo-Sino hostilities. Since leaving Tibet in 1959 following a failed rebellion against Chinese control, the Dalai Lama has been residing in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, and has said that he would reincarnate in the “free world” outside of China.
He informed his supporters this week that his non-profit organisation, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, is the only one with the right to acknowledge his rebirth. On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that the central authority in Beijing must authorise the Dalai Lama’s rebirth.
Dalai Lama reincarnation
Tenzin Gyatso, who became the 14th Dalai Lama reincarnated in 1940, announced the news during prayer festivities on Monday, his 90th birthday according to the Tibetan calendar. Today is his birthday according to the Gregorian calendar.
He indicated that China should avoid becoming involved in the process of choosing his successor by saying that the next Dalai Lama should be chosen in accordance with Buddhist customs. However, the communist leaders of China have long maintained that they ought to choose the next reincarnated person.
What is the role of the Dalai Lama? Who is he?
The Dalai Lama is thought to be the embodiment of Avalokiteshvara, also known as Chenrezig, the patron saint of Tibet and the deity of compassion, who decided to reincarnate in order to save the people. Since the establishment of the Tibetan Buddhist institution in 1587, there have been fourteen incarnations. Tibetans typically refer to him as Yeshin Norbu, the Wish-Fulfilling Gem, or just Kundun, which means The Presence. The Dalai Lama’s name means Ocean of Wisdom.
He has traversed the world to advocate for peace. His nonviolent fight for Tibet’s independence earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Before giving up his political position and letting a democratic president succeed him in 2011, the Dalai Lama led the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile. The Dalai Lamas had served as Tibet’s temporal and spiritual leader for 368 years. He announced that he was leaving politics to concentrate only on his spiritual matters. In addition To all of this, he has written or co-written over 110 novels.
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