Pretoria, July 9: Many South Africans as well as resident Tibetans gathered together on the wintry Sunday morning at Johannesburg Lamrim Buddhist Centre to celebrate 72nd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is revered and respected worldwide as a spiritual authority and a champion of peace.
The auspicious day began with people offering Chenrezig Puja and Long-Life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The African Cultural Heritage Trust participated in the celebration by displaying to the delight of the audience a cultural dance of the indigenous Bapedi community.
The guest of the occasion Mr John Sithole, Director of the African Cultural Heritage Trust gave an interesting talk on Ubuntu and its relationship with the views shared by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His address was followed by a short speech by Mr Sonam Tenzing, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Africa, who informed the audience that the Tibetan delegation have returned from China on 5th July after holding sixth round of discussion with the Chinese leadership.
In the afternoon ‘Kundun’ – a very special film depicting the life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was shown to the audience.
At an earlier event held on 6th July, over forty guests representing various African missions, civil organisations, members of Buddhist centres, Tibetan friends and support groups participated in the birthday celebration organised by the Office of Tibet in Pretoria.
Reported by The Office of Tibet, 38 Union Avenue, Lyttelton -0157 Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
