His Holiness Tenzin Gyatoso celebrated his 90th birthday on July 6, 2025 and was celebrated with rituals and prayers in Dharamshara, North India, where he had lived in exile since 1959. Political person.
Thousands of wives, including monks, nuns, local residents and international supporters, gathered throughout the week despite the monsoon rain. The event includes traditional performances, public offerings and a “long-standing prayer ceremony” held at Maizgragkan temple in McLeodganj. Previous celebrations took place on June 30th along the Tibetan monthly calendar. There, the Dalai Lama was honored for his title, which recognized him as “a pure teacher of the 21st century.”
In the recorded message, the Dalai Lama reflected his purpose in life: “I am a simple Buddhist monk,” he said.
One of the most notable statements from his office was a new declaration that his decision on reincarnation would remain solely in the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the agency that oversees his spiritual property. The move reasserts Tibet’s position that China does not have legitimate authority over the succession process. Beijing has repeatedly argued that it would choose the next Dalai Lama, a stance that has been widely rejected by Tibetan exile communities and many international governments. He is a global leader, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and American politicians such as Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and Marco Rubio. They praised the Dalai Lama for its unwavering commitment to non-violence, religious harmony and human dignity. The United States has long supported the Tibetan cause, reaffirming its support for religious freedom and cultural autonomy.
The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, has written over 100 books, participated in interfaith dialogues, and worked in scientists, particularly in fields such as neuroscience and ethics. His public appearance is currently limited due to his age and health, but his influence remains unabated.
