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PHOTOS: Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday, says he hopes to live beyond 130 years

DHARAMSALA, India — Amid the sound of drums, music, and applause, the Dalai Lama stepped into Dharamsala’s main temple courtyard on Sunday, his 90th birthday.

Welcomed by Tibetan cultural performers, the Tibetan spiritual leader was greeted by schoolchildren dressed in their school uniforms, monks in their traditional robes, and residents, both young and old, dressed in their finest traditional attire.

The stage featured a backdrop proclaiming “Year of Compassion” with images of Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. The Dalai Lama was seated alongside Indian government officials and leaders from the Tibetan exiled government. Also on the dais was longtime Tibetan rights supporter Richard Gere and his son.

Birthday messages from international leaders including former U.S. Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama were shared from the stage.

“Your unwavering devotion resonates with all those who cherish freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, values that the people of Taiwan hold dear,” said Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te in a statement.

“In the face of regional and global challenges, we remain committed to fostering a peaceful and sustainable future for the next generations based upon understanding, dialogue.”

A contingent from Taiwan performs during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A contingent from Taiwan performs during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)

Sunday’s celebration capped a week of events. Wednesday’s reaffirmation by the Dalai Lama that the Dalai Lama lineage would continue, with the next reincarnation of the spiritual leader chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit group that he set up, rejecting moves by China to steer his succession.

The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated on Wednesday that the selection of a new Dalai Lama must follow Chinese law and that it had to take place in China.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is seated beneath an image of Nelson Mandela during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025. At left is Kiren Rijiju, Indian Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is seated beneath an image of Nelson Mandela during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025. At left is Kiren Rijiju, Indian Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)

Following comments by Indian minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday in support of the Dalai Lama’s reaffirmation of his succession plans, China’s foreign ministry warned India to be prudent in its words and actions.

“We hope the Indian side will fully understand the highly sensitive nature of Tibet-related issues, recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama,” said spokesperson Mao Ning.

In a statement released Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent birthday wishes and said, “We support efforts to preserve Tibetans’ distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference.”

Speaking at Sunday’s event in Dharamsala, Pema Khandu, India’s Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, said, “[We] reaffirm our collective commitment to uphold the traditional Tibetan Buddhism process for the recognition of his reincarnation in line with the guidance of Gaden Phodrang Trust.”

Reporting by Dawa Dolma, visual reporting by Tenzin Woser in Dharamsala; edited by Charlie Dharapak

A birthday cake for Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and a bust are seen during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A birthday cake for Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and a bust are seen during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrives at the stage during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrives at the stage during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
A Tibetan monk listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A Tibetan monk listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
A devotee listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A devotee listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
The Dalai Lama speaks with actor Richard Gere during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
The Dalai Lama speaks with actor Richard Gere during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Young children perform during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Young children perform during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
An Indian security officer stands watch as Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is seated on stage with Indian officials during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
An Indian security officer stands watch as Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is seated on stage with Indian officials during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
A child is lifted higher to see the stage during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A child is lifted higher to see the stage during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Actor and Tibetan rights supporter Richard Gere speaks during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Actor and Tibetan rights supporter Richard Gere speaks during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Devotees attend the celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Devotees attend the celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Tibetan Buddhist leaders are seated during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Tibetan Buddhist leaders are seated during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
A devotee listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A devotee listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Tibetan religious leaders applaud during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Tibetan religious leaders applaud during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
A devotee listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
A devotee listens during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Devotees attend the celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Devotees attend the celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)
Pictures of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama are displayed during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
Pictures of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama are displayed during celebrations on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India, July 6, 2025.
(Tenzin Woser/RFA Tibetan)


This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by RFA Tibetan.