Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), July 06, 2025 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju during 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamshala said, "...Your holiness, you are more than a spiritual leader. You are a living bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world...We feel blessed by his presence in our country, which he regards as his 'aryabhoomi',"He further added, “As a devotee and on behalf of millions of devotees across the world, I want to state that whatever decision taken by His Holiness, the established traditions and conventions, we will fully abide by it and follow the directions and guidelines to be issued by the institution of the Dalai Lama."
00:00Today, with deep reverence and boundless joy, I join millions around the world in wishing His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, a most happy and joyful 98th birthday.
00:18This is a celebration of a remarkable life dedicated to compassion, wisdom and non-violence.
00:25Your Holiness, you are more than a spiritual leader. You are a living bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world.
00:37For over seven decades, you have carried the light of Buddha's teachings with humility and clarity, guiding not only followers of Tibetan Buddhism, but people of all faith and backgrounds towards a more compassionate and ethical way of life.
00:57In a world strife with conflict, your message, embodied in how you continue to lead your life, assume even greater and more urgent significance.
01:11It is a matter of pride and honor for India and Indians to have you in our midst.
01:17As we mark this milestone, it is important to honor the deep historical relationship between India and Tibet.
01:27When the great masters like Santarakshita and Padmasambhava journeyed from India to Tibet in 8th century, they planted the seeds of Dharma that would flourish in Tibetan soil.
01:42These teachings, rooted in profound Nalanda tradition, were preserved, practiced and expanded by generations of Tibetan scholars and yogis.
01:53On behalf of people of India and government of India, I bow down at his lotus feet and wish him a very happy birthday and a long life so that he guides us all in suffering, the suffering humanity with this great compassion.
02:16Your holiness is undoubtedly a visionary statesman and a spiritual master whose influence extends to global ethics.
02:28His teachings on compassion, mindfulness and interdependence resonate with the people of all faiths and backgrounds.
02:37His application of bodhisattva ideals in modern leadership, combining wisdom, pragya and compassion, karuna, skill in the use of means in diplomacy, leading by example through Buddhist practical universal practices is unique.
02:59His holiness, the Dalai Lama, is one of the most revered, admired and worshipped global spiritual leaders and the most honored guest of India.
03:13We feel blessed for his presence here in our country, which he regards as his Arya Bhumi.
03:21His holiness, the Dalai Lama, profoundly calls himself the son of India and he is one of the greatest ambassadors of the ancient Indian knowledge.
03:33He has always held the view that India can make significant contributions towards world peace through inner peace by utilizing ancient Indian knowledge and combining it with modern education.
03:48He has time and again reiterated the need for India to revive its ancient knowledge.
03:57As a devotee myself and on behalf of all the millions of devotees across the world, I want to emphatically state that whatever decision taken by his holiness, the Dalai Lama, the established conventions and traditions,
04:16we will fully avoid by it and we will follow the directions and the guidelines to be issued from the institution of the Dalai Lama.
04:29I feel proud and I am very fortunate to have closely followed his holiness and his dharma teachings and the words of wisdom for humanity.
04:38I diligently follow his holiness and his holiness and his travels across the world, being showered with love and affection wherever he went, breaking the barriers of religion, culture, race and tradition.
04:56I am one of the privileged ones who had the occasion of attending the 80th anniversary of his holiness birthday in 2015 here and now I am totally blessed to return back to Dharamsala to attend the 90th birth anniversary of his holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama.
05:17The Tibetan communities in India have been peaceful, they have made positive contributions in many ways.
05:27I have been regularly in touch with the Tibetan friends, members of Tibetan community to listen to their problems and try to solve them from time to time.
05:38I have always held the view that there is need for us to contribute significantly towards the cause of Tibetan people.
05:46I have strongly been a strong votary of extending the government of India's welfare schemes to the Tibetan community who have lived peacefully over the decades in India and I want to reiterate my office, my house is open for the Tibetan brothers and sisters forever.
06:06At this moment, I am reminded of my visit to Bodh Gaya in January 2023 when I was one of the fortunate ones, blessed by his holiness, to have laid the foundation of Dalai Lama Center for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodh Gaya in its very presence.
06:30The institution serves as a global center for conducting education, research and other programs to promote the study of ancient Indian thought and visions.
06:41To conclude, I would like to say that his holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama transcends the barriers of all religion, national, culture, race, the Tibetan people, the people of Himalayan region, the Dharma followers and the people of this world need the continued presence of the institution of his holiness, the Dalai Lama.
07:06I wish him all the very best for his good health, pray for his long life on the auspicious occasion of his 90th birthday so that his holiness continues to bless and guide us and come out of sufferings and lead a Dharma life of peace, happiness, harmony and compassion.
07:30Lastly, I would like to appreciate the declaration made by the Central Tibetan administration.
07:39The decision to celebrate the decision to celebrate 6th July 25 to 6th July 26 as the year of compassion to express our deepest gratitude to his holiness, the Dalai Lama, for his tireless efforts in promoting basic human values through the practice of compassion, fostering inter-religious harmony, preserving Tibetan culture and protecting the environment.
08:08And reviving ancient Indian wisdom of Nalanda tradition.
