Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan on Sunday extended birthday greetings to the Tibetan Spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Addressing the event celebrating the Dalai Lama's birthday here, the Union Minister said that a multi-disciplinary centre (Dalai Lama Centre) based on the Nalanda tradition is being built in Bihar's Bodh Gaya to promote the fusion of Tibetan and Indian ancient wisdom.

The Dalai Lama Centre will provide an opportunity for people from all over the world to study his philosophy and vision, the Minister added.

Union Minister Ranjan said, 'A multi-disciplinary centre based on the Nalanda tradition is being built in Bodh Gaya in my state of Bihar to promote the fusion of Tibetan and Indian ancient wisdom. It will provide an opportunity for people from all over the world to study your philosophy and vision and be inspired by your lifelong contributions.'

'I wish you a long and happy life. May your message resonate in the world and bring peace to countries and peoples suffering from conflict and discontent,' the Union Minister added.

The 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama are being held at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, with Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh and other dignitaries.

The dignitaries seated on the dais, along with the Tibetan spiritual leader, also included Hollywood actor Richard Gere.

Monks, devotees, and international guests gathered for the celebration to honour the life and teachings of the Dalai Lama, who is widely regarded as a global symbol of compassion, non-violence and interfaith harmony.

Meanwhile, Tibetan Buddhist monks living in exile offered special prayers at the Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla at Panthaghati this morning to mark the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama.

The occasion was marked by solemn rituals, long-life prayers, and symbolic offerings led by a young boy monk, Nawang Tashi Rapten, recognised as the reincarnation of the Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The boy monk also cut a ceremonial cake as part of the celebrations, offering prayers for the spiritual leader's long life.

The Dalai Lama, born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, in Takster, a small farming village in northeastern Tibet, was recognised as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. He was formally installed as the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet on February 22, 1940, and was given the name Tenzin Gyatso.

The term 'Dalai Lama' is Mongolian, meaning 'Ocean of Wisdom'. In Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lamas are considered manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, an enlightened being who chooses to be reborn to serve all sentient beings.

After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, the Dalai Lama assumed full political authority in 1950. He was forced to flee into exile in March 1959 following the violent suppression of the Tibetan uprising. He has since lived in India, along with over 80,000 Tibetan refugees, continuing to advocate for peace, non-violence, and compassion.

For over six decades, the Dalai Lama has been a global ambassador of Buddhist philosophy, compassion, peace, and interfaith harmony, continuing to inspire millions worldwide.

Celebrations were held across Tibetan settlements in India and abroad, with many also expressing hope that the Dalai Lama's lineage will continue through a recognised reincarnation in the future. (ANI)