Panel of guests during the birthday celebration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple, Dharamsala, July 6, 2025. Photo by Tenzin Choejor, courtesy of OHHDL.

On July 5 and 6, 2025, two powerful events occurred in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, in celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, and with strong prayers for His Holiness to remain among us for a very long time. These events also kicked off the start of  “the year of compassion”  which will be a year long celebration of His Holiness’s many compassionate activities and qualities. 

FPMT South Asia Regional Coordinator, Frances Howland, attended and participated in the long-life puja of July 5 where the offering of 100 statues of Shakyamuni Buddha on behalf of the entire FPMT organization occurred, and attended the birthday celebrations on July 6. Please read her heartfelt report of the events and enjoy these joyful photos! 

Celebrating the 90th Birthday of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj

By Frances Howland

McLeod Ganj, rain-soaked and bustling, held a series of joyful and deeply moving celebrations to mark the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and marking the beginning of the ‘Year of Compassion.’ The festivities took place at the main temple (Tsuglagkhang) and surrounding areas, bringing together monastics from all traditions, dignitaries, Buddhist practitioners, media, and friends of Tibet from all over the world.

The celebrations were part of a week-long festival held across this hill station, where the vibrant atmosphere reflected the deep love, gratitude, and respect people hold for His Holiness—whose life has been a beacon of compassion, wisdom, and tireless service to others.

July 5 was the offering of a long-life prayer ceremony by the Tibetan Government and representatives of the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions. In the elaborately decorated temple courtyard, there were photographs of His Holiness at different stages of his life, as well as peace champions—Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa.

Tibetan students watching His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the long-life prayer ceremony, July 5, 2025 Photo by Tenzin Choejor, courtesy of OHHDL.

It commenced with a rare appearance of five of the State Oracles, each approaching His Holiness in trance, making offerings and throwing handfuls of colored grain:

• Tsering Chenga (Khandro Tseringma Rinpoche) is the State Medium of the Twelve Tenma Goddesses, guardians of Tibet and protectors of the Dharma.
• Kharak Khyung Tsün is one of the Twelve Tenma Goddesses, she is specifically invoked during ceremonies, including long-life offerings for His Holiness.
• The Nechung Oracle is the medium for the powerful deity Pehar, who offers guidance on important matters, particularly those concerning the Dalai Lama and Tibetan state affairs. He presented the sacred offerings directly to His Holiness and then saluted the chief Lamas and leading members of the Tibetan Government.
• Dorjé Yudrönma is a protector deity, also one of the Twelve Tenma Goddesses, who are female deities of Tibet. She danced energetically in trance before offering blessings.
• Nyenchen Tanglha is a mountain deity and protector and is considered the ancestor of Tibetan kings.

Meanwhile, in the lower courtyard, two women entered trance states spontaneously amidst the tightly packed crowd.

The spiritual leaders of Tibet’s principal Buddhist traditions—as well as the Bönpos and Jonangpas—came forward to pay their respects, followed by a steady procession of members of the Tibetan government from India and abroad. They carried offerings—sacred images, scriptures, and so forth—to be presented to His Holiness.

Ven. Roger Kunsang Ven. Topgye, Ven. Elisabeth Drukier Ven. Kunphen, and Frances Howland in procession during the long life puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, July 5, 2025.

I was the final person in the procession, number 143. Ahead of me were Ven. Roger Kunsang, FPMT CEO, Ven. Topgye from Kopan Monastery, Ven. Elisabeth Drukier from Kalachakra Centre in Paris, and Ven. Kunphen from Tushita Dharamsala. FPMT had been honored with five places in the procession to offer a few of the 100 beautiful golden Shakyamuni Buddha statues.  

His Holiness then addressed the congregation:

“Here today we have representatives of gods and human beings gathering for the auspicious circumstances for my long life, making your prayers intensely and sincerely. On my part, it is clear that I have a connection to Avalokiteshvara. Ever since I was a child, I’ve felt I had this connection and I have been able to serve the Buddha Dharma and the beings of Tibet. I still hope to live to be more than 130 years old.”

His Holiness left the temple saluting the guests and, as he walked to the lift, smiled and waved to the crowd.

July 6 was the official birthday of His Holiness. Rain poured down as we all arrived at the celebration. The red carpet leading through the courtyard was lined with baskets of lilies, while photographers and cameramen jostled for position.

The event began with various musical groups and dancers. Some played traditional Tibetan instruments, while others performed with drums and bagpipes. As they sang in Tibetan, the common wish was: “May His Holiness live long and continue to teach from his firmly established throne.”

Artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts singing happy birthday to His Holiness, July 6, 2025. Photo by Zamling Norbu, courtesy of OHHDL.

A Tuvan group performed traditional throat singing, while a young contortionist in a sparkling gold outfit drew gasps from the audience with her astonishing movements.

His Holiness addressed the gathering:

“Today, my dear friends, you are celebrating my 90th birthday. You have gathered here with joy in your hearts.”

The Sikyong (leader of the government in exile) introduced the many honored guests, including heads of major monasteries, Indian State Ministers, foreign embassies, and international representatives—including Richard Gere. Each delivered messages highlighting the Dalai Lama’s immeasurable contributions to peace, nonviolence, interfaith harmony, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity.

Three former US Presidents—Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush—had recorded brief video messages, which were played on the big screens, followed by a message from the President of Taiwan.

More celebratory songs followed in Hindi and English. A Chinese artist presented a work of art, and the Speaker of the Parliament released a new biography of the Great Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama trying the first bite of his birthday cake, July 6, 2025. Photo by Tenzin Choejor, courtesy of OHHDL.

A towering nine-tier birthday cake was cut, and His Holiness ate the first piece, while the rest was distributed among the gathered crowd. His Holiness then left the event to the sound of “Happy Birthday” being sung very loudly by a Taiwanese group.

Celebrations took place across the world and FPMT’s Tushita Meditation Centre, 35 minutes’ walk up the hill from His Holiness, was no exception. In the afternoon they organized a celebratory event including a film screening of Until Space Remains by Gaurav Saxena.

The gompa was filled with students and visitors joining in the long-life prayers and offering katas to His Holiness’ throne. Ven. Roger Kunsang praised His Holiness’ qualities and shared stories about His Holiness, Geshe Sopa, and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Also present were Geshema Kelsang Wangmo from Germany, who was leading the Tushita annual advanced course, and Ven. Thubten Dekyong (Anila Tsenla), who was responsible for the establishment of the Kopan Nunnery. Happy Birthday was sung in English, Tibetan, Hindi, Hebrew, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Greek, Polish, Russian, and Chinese.

Ven. Roger Kunsang addressing participants in the celebrations for His Holiness’s 90th birthday at Tushita Meditation Centre, July 6, 2025. Photo courtesy of Tushita Meditation Centre.

With prayers for His Holiness’s long life echoing across the hills and hearts of all present, the 90th birthday celebration came to a close, leaving everyone inspired to continue His legacy of compassion in action.

Written by Frances Howland. Frances moved from Hong Kong, where she was a midwife, to New Delhi in 1984 to manage Tushita Mahayana Meditation Centre, succeeding Trisha Donnelley. In 1986, she became Director of the Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Kathmandu for ten years. She then served for five years on the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors. Frances has been the South Asia Regional Coordinator ever since and is now also Co-Director of Lawudo Retreat Centre, alongside Rinpoche’s sister, Anila Ngawang Samten. Throughout her time in Kathmandu, she has  always worked as a nurse.

We invite you to also rejoice that Yeshin Norbu, the FPMT center in Stockholm, Sweden, organized the recitation of over 56 million Mani mantras which were offered to His Holiness, following their Mani Retreat Initiative, held with various FPMT centers and students around the world since last Losar. The following message was received from the Office of His Holiness: “I have been directed to thank all of you for your offering of 56 million Mani mantras for His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 90th birthday. I am happy to convey to you His Holiness prayers and good wishes.” 

We recently published several stories about His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and we invite you to explore those as well. 

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.