Today, July 6, 2021, marks the 86th birthday of the Dalai Lama, the world’s Buddhist leader and the spiritual leader of Tibet. The birthday of His Holiness was celebrated by his followers, both Buddhists and non – Buddhists across the globe, in accordance with the health regulations due to prevailing pandemic situation. Various religious observances were organized to wish him good health and longevity.
In several temples in Sri Lanka, offerings and various religious activities had been organized to invoke blessings for good health and long life for His Holiness.
A special discussion titled ‘Buddhism and World Peace” was held at 6 pm on zoom. A group Buddhist monks and lay scholars including Ven. Dr. Madampagama Assaji Anunayake Thero, Ven. Prof. Pallekande Rathanasara Thero, Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, Ven. Prof. Medagampitiye Vijithadhamma Thero participated in this discussion.
This was telecast live on Sri Lanka-Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society’s Facebook page.
Adding icing to the cake the new music album ‘mahamerak se’ was released coinciding with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 86th birth anniversary. The song was composed by the founder President of Sri Lankan Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society Dr. Damenda Porage and sung by Sri Lankan veteran rock star Chitral Somapala.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJPwR_QG_MA
In the previous year, 2020, the first Sinhala song on His Holiness the Dalai Lama titled ‘Samaya Rajawewa’ was released on 06th of July to mark His Holiness’ 85th birthday. The song was composed by Ven. Ramukana Siddhartha Thero, music composed by Ven. Bibiledeniye Mahanama Thero and sung by Kalpana Kavindi and Devnaka Porage.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso who is believed to be the reincarnation of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, was born in 1935 in northeastern Tibet. He was identified by reincarnation experts as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama when he was just two years old. He was ordained at the age of 6 and commenced the study of Buddhism. At the age of 23, he completed his Buddhist education and became the spiritual and political leader of Tibet. However, in 1959, His Holiness had to seek political asylum from India due to threats to his life from the Chinese communist army who invaded Tibet.
While currently residing in Dharamshala, as the longest guest of India, His Holiness has authored more than one hundred books on the fields of Buddhist Philosophy, peace, reconciliation, psychology, quantum physics etc. His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the nobel peace prize in 1989.
The Buddhist world should be thankful to India for protecting and taking care of the much venerated Buddhist spiritual leader for more than sixty years.
