The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is set to celebrate his 90th birthday next week. The celebrations will take place on July 6th in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, with great pomp and enthusiasm.
Dharamshala: The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is preparing to celebrate his 90th birthday next week, and the entire world is watching this historic occasion. China, in particular, is keeping a close eye on the event, as there is speculation that the Dalai Lama may announce his potential successor on this occasion. If this happens, it is expected to stir new unrest in the already tense relationship between the Tibetan community and China.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamshala has started preparations for the grand birthday celebrations. This three-day festival, from July 2nd to July 6th, will not only be a birthday celebration but also a significant opportunity to determine Tibetan identity and their future direction.
Signals from CTA Ministers
Several senior leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), such as the Sikyong Penpa Tsering and the Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering, have hinted that the Dalai Lama may make a major announcement regarding his successor on the occasion of his 90th birthday. This has not only increased curiosity within the Tibetan community but has also deepened China's concerns.
China has long claimed that it will decide the next Dalai Lama to strengthen its control over Tibet. However, the Dalai Lama had already made it clear in his book, "Voice for the Voiceless," that his reincarnation would take place outside of China, possibly in India. He wrote that the new Dalai Lama would be born in a free environment to serve the Tibetan tradition and Buddhism.
Thousands of Followers to Gather in Dharamshala
The events will begin on July 2nd in Dharamshala and especially in McLeod Ganj, with thousands of Tibetan followers, Buddhist monks, religious leaders, and supporters from around the world participating. The Dalai Lama's birthday will be celebrated in a traditional and grand manner on July 6th. Although the Dalai Lama will turn 90 on July 1st according to the Tibetan calendar, his birthday will be celebrated on July 6th according to the international date. Cultural programs, special prayers, speeches, and religious rituals will also be organized during this time.
China's Unease Grows
China's biggest concern is that if the Dalai Lama announces his successor in India or any other independent country, Beijing's claim that the next Dalai Lama will be decided with China's consent will be weakened. In fact, China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and wants to keep Tibet completely under its control.
Since the Dalai Lama came to India in 1959 after a failed uprising in Tibet, the Chinese government has seen him as a challenge. His international popularity increased even further after he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts for peace. The Dalai Lama has said on many occasions that his reincarnation is not just a part of religious tradition, but also a means of protecting Tibetan identity. He reiterated that his successor will be born in a free environment so that the hopes and beliefs of the Tibetan people can be protected.
