Large number of devotees participates in grand celebrations at Jivetsal
LEH: Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate 14th Dalai Lama on Monday said he believes he may live beyond 100 years of age, possibly reaching around 130, citing dreams and auspicious signs, as thousands of devotees gathered in Leh to celebrate his 91st birthday with prayers, cultural performances and expressions of devotion.
The grand celebration was held at the Shewatsel Teaching Ground and Jivetsal in Leh, jointly organised by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) and the Chief Representative Officer of the Sonamling Tibetan Settlement. The event witnessed the participation of senior Buddhist leaders, public representatives and a large number of devotees from across Ladakh and the Tibetan community.
Among those present were Penpa Tsering, Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Thiksey Rinpoche, Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche, and Chering Dorjay Lakrook, along with senior monks, community leaders and thousands of devotees.
Addressing the gathering, His Holiness reflected on his life and spiritual journey, saying that cultivating an altruistic mind dedicated to the welfare of others has remained the central purpose of his existence. “Judging from my dreams and various signs, I may live beyond one hundred years, perhaps to around one hundred and thirty,” the Dalai Lama said, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The spiritual leader said the respect and affection he has received from people around the world are rooted not in his position but in his lifelong commitment to compassion, kindness and service to humanity. He urged people from all backgrounds to nurture a peaceful and disciplined mind and dedicate their lives to benefiting others.
Highlighting the importance of compassion in daily life, the Dalai Lama noted that growing interest in Buddhist teachings across the world was encouraging, but stressed that compassion should not remain a mere ideal and must instead be reflected in everyday actions.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Ladakh, he thanked devotees for offering prayers for his long life and praised the region for its enduring commitment to Buddhist values and traditions. “This place has genuinely remained steadfast in its commitments and devotion. You have all come together to offer prayers for my long life, and I deeply appreciate this,” he said.
Speaking about the Tibetan exile community, the Dalai Lama said Tibetans had successfully rebuilt their lives in India while preserving their religion, culture and identity, thanks to the support of the Indian people and friends around the world.
The celebrations featured the ceremonial cutting of a special birthday cake prepared using locally sourced ingredients and a series of colourful Ladakhi and Tibetan cultural performances showcasing the region’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Traditional songs, dances and prayers added to the festive atmosphere as devotees joined in marking the occasion.
The celebrations underscored the deep spiritual bond between Ladakh and the Dalai Lama, whose birthday continues to be observed across the Himalayan region as a major religious and cultural occasion. His remarks on longevity, compassion and service to humanity emerged as the central message of this year’s celebrations, inspiring devotees gathered from across Ladakh and beyond.
