Dalai Lama Turns 90, Speaks of Reincarnation and Hope to Live Beyond 130

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, with a week of celebrations by followers. He spoke of his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after death, angering China again. The Dalai Lama is revered among the Tibetan diaspora as a spiritual leader and advocate for peace. His 90th birthday serves as a moment for reflection on the future of Tibetan culture and the preservation of the ethnic group's unique identity.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, with a week of celebrations by his followers. The festivities, held in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, India, were marked by traditional robes, dance troupes, and chants, despite ferocious monsoon rains. The Dalai Lama, known for his advocacy of peace and compassion, appeared in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, smiling and walking with the aid of two monks [1].

The Dalai Lama's birthday celebration also served as a moment for reflection on the future of Tibetan culture and the preservation of the ethnic group's unique identity. In his birthday message, the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of cultivating peace of mind and compassion, stating that while material development is important, it is vital to focus on achieving inner peace [1].

The Dalai Lama's announcement of his reincarnation plans has reignited fears among Tibetans in exile that China will attempt to name a successor to tighten control over Tibet. The Dalai Lama has long guided the Tibetan diaspora in their struggle for autonomy and resistance to Chinese domination [2]. The Chinese government, which considers the Dalai Lama a separatist, has insisted that any succession must follow Chinese laws and religious rituals and be approved by the government in Beijing [2].

The Dalai Lama's promise that there will be a successor has a third addressee in addition to the Tibetan community and the government in Beijing. It is a call to the West not to recognize a Chinese Dalai Lama, according to Dolores Bertschinger, a scholar at the University of Bern’s Institute for the Science of Religion [2].

The Dalai Lama's influence extends far beyond the Tibetan Buddhist community. He is a global spiritual superstar who is received by the powerful figures around the globe. His books became bestsellers, and his quotes are everywhere. However, with China's growing economic power, fewer and fewer Western heads of government have dared to officially receive the Dalai Lama [2].

The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for Tibetan independence and the importance of preserving the unique identity of the Tibetan people. The future of Tibetan culture and the preservation of the ethnic group's unique identity remain uncertain, but the Dalai Lama's birthday celebration serves as a moment of reflection and hope for the Tibetan community.

References:
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14eppgrgvno
[2] https://www.nzz.ch/english/conflict-is-brewing-over-who-will-succeed-the-dalai-lama-ld.1891989