Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday Message Calls for Compassion and Inner Peace

By A Staff Reporter

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: On the occasion of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama issued a heartfelt message to well-wishers and followers across the world, particularly addressing Tibetan communities and others who have come together to celebrate the milestone. While humbly referring to himself as “a simple Buddhist monk,” the spiritual leader took the opportunity to share his reflections on the values that have guided his life and teachings.

“I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations,” the Dalai Lama stated, “However, since you are organizing events focused on my birthday, I wish to share some thoughts.” He expressed gratitude to those observing the day with events that emphasize compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism — principles he has long promoted as central to both personal happiness and global harmony.

The Nobel Peace laureate underscored the need to go beyond material progress and develop inner peace through a good heart and compassion for all beings. “Not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone,” he emphasized.

Reaffirming his lifelong commitments, he said he would continue to focus on promoting human values, religious harmony, and preserving Tibetan culture and ancient Indian wisdom, particularly teachings that help understand the mind and emotions.

Quoting the Indian Buddhist scholar Shantideva, the Dalai Lama shared an aspiration he strives to live by:

“As long as space endures,
As long as sentient beings remain,
Until then, may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.”

He concluded his message by thanking those who are using his birthday as a moment to reflect on compassion and peace, offering his prayers and blessings: “Tashi Deleg and with prayers, Dalai Lama.”

The message resonated deeply with admirers and spiritual followers worldwide, who regard the Dalai Lama as a beacon of peace and moral clarity in an often divided world.