By and large, the 83rd birthday celebration of a simple Buddhist monk with 13 Million followers on Facebook is the most trended story in our social media this past week.
On 6 July this week, time stood still to greet a ‘Happy Birthday’ to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshi Tenzin Gyatso. The world most loved and revered spiritual leader celebrated his birthday amongst crowd over 25000 well-wishers and devotees in his presence at the Shiwatsel teaching pavilion in Leh, Ladakh.
While addressing the rousing crowd, His Holiness said as a human being we all share same: physically, emotionally and mentally. He stressed one of his principal commitment is to bring peace and happiness to human beings. His Holiness continued: “If you are constantly angry you will be unhappy and your health will deteriorate, if you are compassionate towards others you will be happy and live well.”
In his opening remark, CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay said: “His Holiness is a living embodiment of happiness, love and compassion.”
Despite the time and distant bound, many of His Holiness’ well-wishers around the world, left not a single stone unturned into displaying their love and affections through social media platforms. His followers from every nook and corner of the world through their Facebook pages have viewed the live streaming of his birthday celebration @DalaiLama the official Facebook Page of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Out of sheer love and respect, netizens comprising different nationalities poured in their heartfelt wishes and greetings to a nobleman who has dedicated his life to the well-being of entire sentient beings.
At the same time, Central Tibetan Administration observed the birthday celebration of the noble laureate at the courtyard of the main Temple in Mcleod Ganj. Likewise, Tibetan settlements and Tibetan community across India carried out ‘Feed the Hungry and Homeless’ program on His Holiness’ birthday as a part of Thank You India 2018 yearlong campaign initiated by Central Tibetan Administration.
For Tibetan Buddhists, the octogenarian in his robust health is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion who vowed to be reborn in the world to dispel the misery of all sentient beings. Every waking day, His Holiness recites the following prayer for the benefit of all sentient beings:
‘As long as space endures,
as long as sentient being remain,
until then, may I too remain
and dispel the miseries of the world.’
His Holiness often says,”Each day is a new day, new birthday. Every morning, think as you wake up, this new birthday I must carry a happy day with compassionate feelings. A sense of concern for others well-being. That is an ultimate source of a happy mind and feelings, that brings self-confidence and that creates honest and truthful. Your new day becomes meaningful and through that way that day carry transparent. That brings trust and friendship is base on trust. Friendship cannot be bought by money or by force. Only by warm-heartiness. That I practice!”
Let me take you through netizens reactions of this past week trended story: