By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, June 22 : The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and an old friend of the Tibetan leader, Virbhadra Singh, today attended a ceremony to mark the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his own 81st birthday at the Tsuglakhang courtyard. The Dhomay Association, which had arranged the gathering in honor of the two leaders, had invited local Indians and heads of the various traditions of Tibetan Buddhism as guests.
The guests were seated besides low tables adorned with traditional food items including Tibetan crackers and cookies in a traditional party seating of Amdo region of Tibet.
His Holiness and Virbhadra Singh, blessed and inaugurated fifteen thanka paintings depicting the life and deeds of the 14th Dalai Lama.
Gyaton is a tradition prevalent in Dhomey (Amdo) province of Tibet, commemorated when a person reaches the age of 80. According to Tibetan lunar calendar, His Holiness turned 80 yesterday, which corresponded in 1935 to July 6 which is internationally celebrated.
His Holiness released a ten – volume Zenam Norbui Trengwa, a biographical series on the life of the Dalai Lamas, a pictorial biography of 10th Panchen Lama and inaugurated a documentary film on Virbhadra Singh who turns 81 today. A statue of Buddha was also presented to the CM as a birthday gift from His Holiness.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, unveiled a book, detailing the biographical thanka painting on His Holiness.
Penpa Tsering, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in exile, on behalf of Dhomey association, presented ‘Commemorative Gold Medal’ to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness and Himachal’s CM cut a birthday cake together as the ecstatic audience sang birthday greeting song.
Two of the Tibetan leader’s oldest attendants, Lobsang Gawa and Paljor were honored for their service to His Holiness.
Addressing the occasion, Virbhadra Singh applauded His Holiness not just for the leadership he provides just for Tibetans but also to the humanity. He expressed his admiration to the Dalai Lama as a preacher of peace, tranquility, brotherhood and goodwill among all the nation and states. “We are very happy that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his government in exile is situated at Dharamshala, in my state of Himachal Pradesh.”
He continued, “We adore him. He is the leading example of tranquility and struggle and also of high thinking, even under very adverse condition.”
To mark the auspicious occasion, the Heads of various religious traditions, Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche, Sakya Trizin, Menri Trizin Rinpoche, Gyalwang Karmapa, Kabje Khadok Geytsel Rinpoche representing Tsedrul Rinpoche, Dregung Chetsang Rinpoche also addressed the audience.
His Holiness, before walking to the dais to address the gathering, took a shawl gifted a little while ago by Mr. Ed John, a native of First Nation of Canada, as birthday gift. “The dancers who performed a while ago had many colorful costumes to wear, so I also felt like wearing one,” His Holiness jokingly said, pointing to the colorful costume worn by indigenous people of Canada. His Holiness then said on a serious note that he had a reason for wearing that shawl gifted to him by a man representing indigenous people. “I have a reason for wearing this, there are many indigenous people in America, South America, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia and so on. They have struggled and confronted much adversity. So, I have a deep concern for them,” said the Tibetan leader.
He spoke about his recent meetings with an indigenous group in Australia and expressed his sympathy for the distressing condition of the indigenous people around the world. “Some white men in the west had once expressed that their ancestors were a great sinners. They had killed millions of indigenous people. A friend of mine in Australia told me about a white man who noted in his diary about killing 100 men in a day,” recalled His Holiness.
He underlined that some indigenous groups have coped up well with modern society while some, in the name of preserving their language and habits, stayed away from modernity. “It’s important to preserve traditional culture and habits but not moving towards modernity is a mistake,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness advised people of the world to reach out to the indigenous people and help them. He stated that self-centered attitude is the root cause of all the problems. “Being good to others is not about religious belief. It is innate,” said His Holiness.
The Tibetan leader attended a screening of a documentary film on the life of Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, at the Tibetan Children’s Village school in the afternoon. The screening was followed by cultural performances by popular Tibetan singers in exile.
