The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, turned 85 on Monday, with followers holding prayers for him to have a long life as well as organizing global events online to dedicate to him a "Year of Gratitude."
In a video message from his abode in India's northern hill town of Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama said the celebrations were not necessary amid the coronavirus pandemic, but if his followers wanted, they could recite the Buddhist Mani Mantra at least 1,000 times.
"It will be beneficial. With that practice you will create some roots of virtue that you can dedicate for me – Avalokiteshvara's messenger – to live for 108 or 110 years or so," he said.
The 14th Dalai Lama is considered to have been reincarnated over generations and is venerated as a living embodiment of the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara.
As the Dalai Lama's age advances, there have been mounting concerns over his successor as the leader of the Tibetan movement, amid Beijing's claim that it has the right to decide the issue.
Last November, senior Tibetan leaders had said the Dalai Lama must decide on his successor soon.
China considers the Dalai Lama to be a separatist and accuses him of fomenting unrest in Tibet, to which he is not permitted to travel.
The Dalai Lama denies being a separatist and advocates the "Middle Way" approach that favours greater autonomy for Tibet instead of full independence.
The Dalai Lama's debut album "Inner World" - on which he recites mantras, meditations and teachings with accompanying music - was also released on Monday. It includes 11 tracks, including Compassions based on the Mani Mantra.
At the main Tsuglagkhang temple complex in Dharamsala, a select few monks, donning traditional dress, prayed for the long life of the Dalai Lama, the IANS news agency reported.
"People in Tibetan localities throughout India are also praying inside their homes for the long life and health of His Holiness," one of his aides, Tseten Samdup, told.
Government in exile
The Tibetan government-in-exile, which has its seat in Dharamsala, said it was organizing a series of worldwide online events in the "Year of Gratitude", an appreciation of the Dalai Lama's leading of the Tibetan movement.
"His untiring effort and farsightedness has saved Tibet from becoming a mere footnote in the story of lost and forgotten nations. His Holiness made the liberation for Tibet visible to the world," a statement by the Central Tibetan administration said.
The Dalai Lama was also greeted by several dignitaries and world leaders, including former US president George W Bush and Speaker Nancy Pelosi via video messages.
Born in 1935 in the north-eastern Amdo province of Tibet, Lhamo Dhondup was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of 2.
He was brought to Lhasa in October 1939 and enthroned as the head of state of Tibet on February 22, 1940.
The Dalai Lama and thousands of followers fled to India in 1959 after China cracked down on an uprising in March of that year.
The Buddhist leader, who emerged as the face of the Tibetan community for the world, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts to achieve a non-violent solution for the Tibetan problem.
