The 90th birthday celebration for the Nobel Peace Prize winner and spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism caps a week of festivities. In his remarks, the Dalai Lama stated that he plans to reincarnate after his death, ending years of speculation about whether he would be the last person to hold the role.
Thousands gathered in the Indian town of Dharamshala to mark the occasion, where the spiritual leader was accompanied by monks and Tibetan artists. The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile raised the flag, and dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader.
According to Buddhist traditions, the future Dalai Lama should be sought and recognized as the next reincarnation after the current one passes away. The Dalai Lama has also expressed hope to live until the age of 130 and stated that his successor will be born in a “free world” outside of China.
However, some exiled Tibetans fear that China may attempt to name its own successor to bolster control over Tibet. Beijing claims it has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader and has repeatedly rejected any chosen without its consent.
The celebration was attended by hundreds of followers worldwide, including actor Richard Gere, who called the Dalai Lama “the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet.”
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/06/thousands-celebrate-and-pay-tribute-to-the-dalai-lama-as-the-global-symbol-turns-90