Dalai Lama Turns 90, Says He'll Keep Spreading Peace and Compassion

 

Dalai Lama Turns 90, Says He'll Keep Spreading Peace and Compassion

As the Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday, he shared a heartfelt message reminding the world of the values he’s always stood for — compassion, kindness, and peace. Despite his usual reluctance to mark birthdays with big celebrations, he acknowledged the many events being held in his honor and took the opportunity to offer a message of hope and guidance.

“I’m just a simple Buddhist monk,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding that while he doesn’t typically celebrate his birthday, he wanted to share a few thoughts since so many people had gathered to honor him. His message focused on the importance of inner peace and a kind heart, saying that while it’s natural to work toward material goals, what truly matters is cultivating compassion not just for friends and family, but for everyone.

He said that such compassion is what helps make the world a better place. "Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place," he wrote.

The Dalai Lama also reaffirmed his lifelong mission: promoting basic human values, encouraging harmony among religions, and preserving Tibetan culture and ancient Indian wisdom — especially insights into the mind and emotions. He shared that he continues to draw inspiration and strength from Buddhist teachings and Indian philosophers like Shantideva.

Quoting Shantideva, he wrote: “As long as space endures, as long as sentient beings remain, until then, may I too remain to dispel the miseries of the world.”

Meanwhile, birthday celebrations kicked off in McLeodganj with a mix of spiritual and cultural events — prayers, a youth forum, a film screening, and a religious conference. The festivities were attended by several dignitaries including cabinet ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, and actor Richard Gere.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his wishes, calling the Dalai Lama “an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline.” He added, “I join 1.4 billion Indians in praying for his continued good health and long life.”

In his message at the Tsuglagkhang temple earlier that day, the Dalai Lama expressed hope that he would continue to live for another 30 to 40 years so he could keep serving the people.