Thousands of Tibetan Buddhists gathered in the Indian Himalayan town of Dharamsala to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader and symbol of peace. Among the guests was Hollywood actor Richard Gere, a longtime follower. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Dalai Lama as a “perennial symbol of love, compassion, and moral discipline,” while former U.S. President Barack Obama sent birthday wishes calling him the “youngest 90-year-old.” The celebration culminated a week of prayers for long life, with the Dalai Lama surprising everyone by stating he plans to live another 40 years, far longer than his previous predictions. Though he usually avoids birthday celebrations, he thanked his followers and urged reflection on inner peace and compassion toward all, not just loved ones. The Dalai Lama confirmed that his reincarnation, according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, will occur outside Chinese control, sparking tensions with Beijing, which insists on its right to approve his successor. This event is more than a birthday party; it’s a reminder of the centuries-long struggle for Tibetan freedom and spiritual independence.
