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.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the crowd over 25000 during the celebration of his 83rd birthday at Shiwatsel Teaching Ground in Leh, Ladakh. Photo / Tenzin Choejor / Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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.”
CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing at the celebration of the 83rd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo / Tenzin Choejor / Office of Dalai Lama
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.
Within two days, live webcast of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 83rd birthday celebration received 955k views, out of which 62 k hit like button, and over 2163 passed comments. Photo / Screengrab / @DalaiLama
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.
Live webcast of Dharamshala celebrating the 83rd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama received 19 k views, 1.2 k hit the like button, and 259 shared the post. Photo / Screengrab / @TibetTV
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:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s official Instagram page @DalaiLama received 99,556 likes on the picture of His Holiness cutting birthday cake at Shiwatsel Teaching Pavilion in Leh, Ladakh. Photo / Screengrab / @DalaiLama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s official Twitter page @DalaiLama received 29 k likes, out of which 1.2k left comments, and 4.6 k shared. Photo / Screengrab / @DalaiLama
A Facebook user @Bratajit Mukherjee from India writes:”My heartfelt gratitude, respect, honour, my prayer to the God… Oh Lord! Keep alive, give my earthy lord every ability to sustain more and more peace for long. Happy birthday Rev. Dalai Lama ji.” Photo / Screengrab / @BratajitMukherjee
A Facebook user @CarolynMinchin from Sydney writes:”This is important for the whole world because love and compassion are our universal human language, and His Holiness teaches us this language every day. Thank You and Happy Birthday.” Photo / Screengrab / @CarolynMinchin
A Facebook user @BenjaminGonzalezGallegos from Spain writes: “In the land of snow mountains, you are the source of all joy and happiness… Powerful Tenzin Gyatso ‘Chenrezig’ please stay until the samsara ends!!! Photo / Screengrab / @BenjaminGonzalezGallegos
Twitterati @SharmilaBhowmick writes: “Happy Birthday to you deepest respects and gratitude for your teachings on happiness compassion, humanity and the importance of humour. Wish you a long, healthy life. We are enormously blessed to have you among us.” Photo / Screengrab / @SharmilaBhowmick
Twitterati @FedericaColombo from Italy tweets:”Thank you for being a fantastic inspiration towards a better way of living and for offering your wise and warm words of guidance. I am wishing you a very happy birthday as well as all the best from Italy.” Photo / Screengrab / @FedericaColombo
A Facebook user @JenniferLesh writes:”I am a Christian who has admired this wonderful man since childhood. Happy birthday to one of the strongest and brightest lights in the world.” Photo / Screengrab / @JenniferLesh
A Facebook user @MariaSotiriou from England writes:”Many happy returns His Holiness Thank you for your undying dedication to altruism and teaching us to be of benefit to one another. May we act on your message and make our world a better place.” Photo / Screengrab / @MariaSotiriou