Dharamshala — His Holiness the Dalai Lama attends a Long Life Cultural Performance in honor of His Holiness' 90th Birthday Celebrations offered to him by South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei, and Philippines at the Main Tibetan Temple Courtyard, Dharamshala, HP, on September 20, 2025.
When His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the gate of the main Tibetan temple from his residence, he was greeted by representatives of the event organisers. People and dancers from the above-mentioned countries lined both sides of the road to welcome His Holiness. The people warmly welcomed him with beaming faces and tears of joy, and His Holiness responded by waving and smiling at them.
The President of the Tibetan Buddhist Centre (Singapore), Sister Winni, paid her respects to His Holiness, the members of the monastic Sangha and all the other guests. She announced that those present were offering their prayers for His Holiness to live long, in good health, and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma. She presented him with a medallion representing this Year of Compassion in recognition of the good he has brought to the world.
Prayers for the His Holiness’s long life and world peace were chanted in Pali by approximately 30 Theravada monks led by Phramedivajrodom V. Vajiramedhi, Abbot of Rai Cherntawan International Meditation Center, Chiang Rai, Thailand, one of the co-organisers of the event. Meanwhile, 14 representatives of the organizers offered a mandala and representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha.
A joint statement on behalf of all the participants in the ceremony was read by Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu, Vice Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Deputy Chief Officer of Centre Committee, Vietnam. It recognised that His Holiness is the most renowned and respected global Buddhist leader, who embodies the ideals of peace, universal responsibility, and self-discipline, as well as religious and social harmony. It recalled the awards he has received, notably the Nobel Peace Prize, the United States’ Congressional Gold Medal, and the Templeton Prize.
The statement announced that His Holiness has devoted his entire life to strengthening Buddhist traditions while at the same time fostering interfaith dialogue. His unwavering commitment to non-violence, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of Tibetan culture has inspired generations.
Therefore, the Assembly of Asian Buddhist Leaders and followers gathered in Dharamshala to celebrate his 90th birthday, unanimously declared His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be ‘The Universal Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist World.’ They also joyfully reaffirmed their dedication to building a truly harmonious and peaceful world, fulfilling his noble vision and the boundless compassion he exemplifies.
Then His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the gathering by saying, “Good morning, I would like to share some of the experiences I have had in my life with you. I was born in Amdo, the northeastern part of Tibet. While still a child I moved to Lhasa in Central Tibet where I pursued my study of Buddhism starting with the logic primer called Collected Topics dealing with definitions of colour and so forth. I went on to study logic and epistemology, the philosophy of the Middle Way, Vinaya, the monastic code of discipline, and Abhidharma, although I didn’t take much interest in the way that tradition presented cosmology. I also studied the Perfection of Wisdom. Within my studies of Buddhist philosophy, I also explored psychology and cognitive aspects of the mind, how our minds engage with their objects.”
“I studied with great fervour. I made prayers to the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri, to support my studies. While I was studying the various classic treatises I was greatly helped by my Tutors and Debate Assistants. In addition to studying, as part of my life, I cultivated meditation on the awakening mind of bodhichitta, the aspiration to enlightenment,” His Holiness continues.
The spiritual leader of Tibet explains, “Having completed my studies I sat for examinations, which involved going to the three great monastic centres of learning of Central Tibet, Sera, Drepung and Gaden Monasteries. I debated with a great number of illustrious scholars. When that was done, I sat for the final examination in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.”
“I felt fortunate to have been someone from a remote village in Amdo, who was able to undertake the full course of studies and ultimately sit for the final exam. During this time my Debate Assistants were very helpful to me. However, one of these assistants was not so bright, so I found I was able to take advantage of that in debate with him,” His Holiness said.
“In any case, I considered the opportunity I would have to complete my Buddhist studies and qualify for a Geshé degree to have been very important. In addition I engaged in the practice of the Three Higher Trainings—ethics, concentration and wisdom,” His Holiness mentioned.
“Soon after taking my final examination, I had to flee Tibet because of the upheaval that was taking place. Before leaving Norbulingka, my Summer Palace, I visited the chapel that contained a statue of Six-armed Mahakala and I made prayers before him. Then, feeling sad, I secretly escaped Norbulingka and so began the journey to leave my homeland. At the same time, however, I felt confident because I was heading to India, a free country,” the spiritual leader of Tibet said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “When I reached India in 1959, I was given a very cordial reception by the Indian government led by Jawaharlal Nehru. He was very kind to me and the people who came after me. He gave us great help.”
“After coming into exile, I had a great opportunity to share the knowledge and experience I had acquired in the course of my studies with the world. I had learned about minds and emotions as well as matter. The texts present varying degrees of subtlety of different states of mind and matter,” he mentioned.
“Anyway, my main practice throughout my life has been cultivating the awakening mind of bodhichitta, the altruistic aspiration for enlightenment, and the view of emptiness,” His Holiness explained.
“Today, you have all gathered here to offer prayers for my long-life. I would like to thank you all, especially the monastics, for coming to make these prayers. We haven’t gathered for the sake of amusement, but for spiritual reasons. As I said before I make it a point to cultivate bodhichitta and the view of emptiness on a daily basis. I also observe and uphold the Vinaya vows of a Buddhist monk. In addition, I reflect on the Perfection of Wisdom and Middle Way philosophy that I studied for so many years,” he added.
“In 1954 I went to China where I met Chairman Mao Zedong. At one point, when he told me that religion is poison, I felt a sense of compassion for his ignorance. Since coming into exile and reaching the freedom of India, I have shared my knowledge, experience and practice of the Dharma with anyone who was interested in learning about Buddhism, especially those who interested in learning more about the workings of our mind and emotions. There are a growing number of people eager to learn about the Tibetan tradition. I feel I have done my best to serve them,” the Spiritual leader of Tibet said.
“As I said earlier you have gathered here for spiritual reasons and to celebrate my 90th birthday. For all your prayers and offerings for my long life, and for all you do in your practice of the Dharma and in serving others, particularly the monastics, I would like to thank you. I am also determined to serve others through the Dharma. As the Dalai Lama I have been able to create a positive state of mind within others, for which I feel fortunate,” he declared.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded his speech by saying, “Thank you all for your prayers and for celebrating my 90th birthday. “
Next, the eight Southeast Asia countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore presented graceful cultural performances. These included a peacock dance from Thailand, a long-life prayer in the form of a song, from Vietnam and a dance to invoke peace and harmony from Indonesia. Two women from Laos performed a dance representing the flower of love. Dancers from Myanmar, men and women, danced to the accompaniment of a saung, an ancient curved harp. Three women from Cambodia wearing golden crowns and ornaments, danced with similar golden flowers in their hands.
The Malaysian dancers twirled and spun as they danced quickly and energetically to demonstrate unity and inclusion. Finally, a team of eight dancers from Singapore engaged in a high energy performance as mythical lions to a brisk drumbeat. There were two remarkably coordinated dancers within each lion costume. In the course of their performance one of the lions unfurled a written prayer for His Holiness’s long life, which was offered to him.
A representative from Singapore gave a brief financial account mentioning how much money had been raised, how much had been spent, and a declaration that what remained would be given to the Dalai Lama Trust.
Thanks were expressed to the organizers and a dedication prayer was said: May the merit of this offering contribute to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the establishment of genuine peace in the world.
