Wishing healthy and long life to His Holiness Dalai Lama, Ladakh Buddhist Association in collaboration with All Ladakh Gonpa Association and Chief Representative Office of the Sonamling Tibetan Settlement Ladakh celebrated the 87th birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on July 6 at Jivetsal.

Umang Narula, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh was the chief guest.

Thupstan Chhewang, President, LBA wished His Holiness healthy long life for the benefit of all sentient beings. He said that it gives immense pleasure to celebrate His Holiness birthday together in such a grand way for the first time since the covid-19 pandemic began.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Tibetan people residing in Ladakh for keeping alive the tradition of celebrating His Holiness birthday and organizing it similar to the celebration in Norbulinga.

Advisor Umang Narula said, “In the present time of materialistic, development and prosperity, people are drifting away from mental peace. Spiritual masters like Dalai Lama have been actively engaged in advocating world peace and spreading the message of love and compassion. He is an inspiration to live a compassionate and harmonious life”.

He said that while celebrating the birth anniversary of His Holiness people must reiterate and try to practice the message of universal peace, compassion, and communal harmony.

CRO, Dhondup Tashi, and  Dhondup Tsering, President, Tibetan Local assembly read out the statement of Sikyong, CTA, and Tibetan Parliament in Exile respectively.

Acharya  Stanzin Wangdak, President, LGA; Deputy Chairman, Tsering Angchuk and  Satish Khandare, ADGP, Ladakh Police also spoke on the occasion.

Cultural programs of Tibetan and Ladakhi were also showcased.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two, the child, then named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and the patron saint of Tibet.