Special Prayers and Celebrations for Dalai Lama’s 89th Birthday in Bodh Gaya and Shimla

On July 6, special prayers were held at the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya to celebrate the 89th birthday of the Dalai Lama. Tibetan monks gathered to pray for his long life and planned to cut a cake in his honor. The Dalai Lama, known for his teachings on compassion and peace, is recovering from knee surgery in the United States and was discharged from the hospital on June 29.

In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, monks also celebrated the Dalai Lama’s birthday at the Dorje Drak Monastery. Early morning prayers were offered by monks including Nawang Tashi Rapten, Taklung Tsetul Rinpoche, and the head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Acharya Lodoe Zangpo, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, emphasized the importance of the Dalai Lama as a peacemaker during these challenging times.

The Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935, in Tibet, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. He was formally installed as the head of Tibet in 1940 and enthroned as the temporal leader in 1950. After the Tibetan National Uprising in 1959, he fled to India with many refugees. For over 60 years, he has promoted peace, love, and compassion.