Celebrations are in full swing in Dharamshala as Tibetan communities and followers gather with joy and reverence to mark the upcoming 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, which falls on July 6 according to the Gregorian calendar.
The spiritual and cultural festivities are being held with deep devotion across the region, honouring the revered Tibetan Buddhist leader.
Amid the celebratory atmosphere, the Dalai Lama made a significant statement reaffirming that the Gaden Phodrang Trust—a foundation established by him—holds the sole authority to recognize any future reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
In a public message issued on July 2, he stated: “The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been clearly established… Responsibility for doing so rests exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust… No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.”
This declaration comes in response to ongoing concerns over China’s attempts to exert influence on the succession process.
The Dalai Lama referenced a key meeting held on September 24, 2011, during which Tibetan Buddhist leaders discussed whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue and how a successor should be chosen. He emphasized that any recognition must align with traditional procedures and consultation with Tibetan Buddhist heads and Dharma Protectors.
Backing this stance, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on July 4 asserted: “I am a devotee of the Dalai Lama. Anybody in the world who follows him wants his successor to be chosen by the Dalai Lama himself.”
As the milestone birthday approaches, followers worldwide are uniting not only to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s life and teachings but also to uphold his spiritual and cultural legacy.
