Tashi Delek!!
Birthdays for some are a welcome treat and for others it brings back enjoyable memories of childhood and family life. I am sure the word birthday itself must have rung a bell in your ear, a day when we many a times forget to thank our parents for bringing us into this world but yeah we surely don’t forget to party because it is a day that calls for celebration. Similarly ninety years back on this day 6th July 1935, a son was born in a small village of Taktser in northeastern Tibet to Choekyong Tsering and Diki Tsering, like all parents they too were delighted to have home their baby boy, but unlike other children this boy was extraordinary he was God’s chosen one-as two years after he was born, he was identified as the rebirth of the 13th Dalai Lama. It was then at the tender age of 15 he was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama. Since then 6th July marks the birth of His Holiness The 14 Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, who is celebrated not only as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism but as a global messenger of peace, kindness and compassion. He is widely regarded as a revered spiritual leader in the world who has become a universal symbol of compassion, altruism and integrity. Every year on this day followers and admirers around the globe celebrate his birthday with prayers, cultural events, and community service. In the Tibetan tradition, this day is considered deeply auspicious and is observed with offerings, chanting, and cultural dances in Tibetan communities. On this day the world celebrates more than just a birthday it honors a life devoted to compassion, peace and spiritual wisdom, marking another year of extraordinary service to humanity. He was no doubt born in Tibet but he is celebrated and embraced by the world.
Now July 6th is more than just the birthday of a global spiritual leader, it is a celebration of a life dedicated to compassion, wisdom, and peace. Today as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama turns 90, this milestone is being embraced around the world as the launch of a “Year of Compassion”-a tribute to his lifelong message and a call to action for humanity. Therefore 6th July his birthday has now been officially designated as the “Universal Day of Compassion” in the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference For Peace (ABCP). Now we can say 6th july is not only the birth of His Holiness but is also the birth of compassion, by saying so we are merely not marking a date, we are honoring a principle, It is a moment the world pauses to remember what compassion looks like in human form. This day is celebrated to embody and honor the Dalai Lama’s core teachings on kindness, compassion and universal responsibility.
Compassion has always been at the very core of his teachings. He is a buddhist monk but has often said that his religion is “kindness.” In a world increasingly divided by borders, beliefs, fears, wealth, race, language and suffering, his message stands as a moral compass: reminding us that genuine peace begins with a compassionate heart. No doubt he is a man whose heart beats not for himself, but for humanity, He is none other than our Nobel Peace Prize Laureate His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso whose life has touched many hearts, through his unwavering commitment to nonviolence and his message of universal responsibility, the Dalai Lama has united people across religions, cultures, and nations.He has dedicated his life to promoting non violence, empathy and unity across cultures, his teachings emphasize that compassion is not just an emotional response, but a conscious choice, one that strengthens both the giver and the receiver. He teaches that compassion is not a luxury, it is a necessity for our survival and i quote “Love and Compassion are necessities, not luxuries, without them humanity cannot survive”. He proves that love is stronger than hate, and peace begins with a smile. At the heart of his teachings is the principle of compassion always, he believes that compassion is essential not only in religious practice but in everyday human interaction. His message transcends religious boundaries and is rooted in deep respect for all sentient beings. His Holiness always encourages people of all faiths or no faith to cultivate inner values such as empathy, kindness and responsibility. He exemplifies the values of peace, humility and compassion. He has been through decades of exile and struggle yet he has maintained an unwavering commitment to non violence and dialogue. In a world often torn by conflict and division, the Dalai Lama’s message is powerful reminder that true strength lies in kindness and lasting peace begins with the human heart.
The birthday of the Dalai Lama is more than just a celebration of a personal milestone, it is a
global reminder of the power of humility, peace, and spiritual resilience. Whether one is a follower of Buddhism or not, the Dalai Lama’s message of compassion, tolerance, and hope remains universally relevant in today’s world. Throughout his life His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama has consistently upheld the values of non violence, despite facing exile from his homeland since 1959 he has never advocated for conflict or retaliation he has always urged for resistance and compassion for all. His teachings are simple yet profound. He says ”Be kind whenever possible.It is always possible.” His Holiness life reminds us that one person can touch countless hearts, his message is clear indicating that each of us holds the potential to bring light and spark hope into the lives of others. When one life radiates so much kindness, it echoes in the hearts of millions, that is why his birthday is not just his-it belongs to all who believe in empathy, in gentleness, in kindness and in a more compassionate world. So on this day as we celebrate his life we are also reminded of our own capacity for empathy. He has very well said “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness, the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives”. The Dalai Lama’s teachings emphasizes the importance of inner peace, ethical living, and compassion for all beings, messages that continue to inspire millions. On his birthday, he often shares a public message encouraging kindness, unity, and care for the environment, reminding people that “the purpose of life is to be happy,” and true happiness comes from a warm heart and mindful living. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, compassion is universal, it is not related to religious beliefs, therefore on a human level we all need compassion, love, kindness. His birthday is more like a festival so by dedicating 6 July as a compassion, love, kindness. His birthday is more like a festival so by dedicating 6 July as a Universal Day of Compassion, we are honoring the many achievements of His Holiness and his global impact. The concept of the Festival of Compassion is to cultivate human values, amplifying His Holiness universal message of peace and working towards a kinder, more compassionate world. The occasion carries profound weight not only for Tibetans, but also for all his global supporters.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday is celebrated not only by Tibetans in exile but also by Buddhists and admirers across the globe. For many, it is a day to reflect on his message and renew personal commitments to kindness and ethical living.His birthday is not only a personal milestone but a symbol of resilience, moral clarity, and hope for a better world. It’s a day that reminds us of the power of compassion and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.July 6 is now being celebrated as an international “Compassion Day” in honor of the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday and as an opportunity for people to come together and dedicate themselves to making a positive difference in the world. By designating his birthday a Universal Day of Compassion, the global community is given a powerful yearly reminder to practice the Dalai Lamas teachings, empathy, kindness, and universal responsibility. The main purpose of Compassion Day is to cultivate compassion not just in one’s heart, as is done in meditation, but in meaningful ways that benefit others, By practicing “compassion in action”, the day is also intended to inspire others to behave compassionately. While official events will take place around the world, the heart of this initiative lies in personal transformation. The Dalai Lama has often said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” This year invites each of us to live those words—whether by showing patience in difficult situations or by helping someone in need. Let July 6th 2025 mark not only a birthday, but the beginning of a movement—a Year of Compassion that unites us in kindness, service, and understanding. In honoring the Dalai Lama, we should honor the best in ourselves.
I would like to conclude with an excerpt from His Holiness recent book “Voice for the Voiceless” which speaks deeply about the role of compassion in human life— ”At the heart of our tradition is the emphasis on the principle of the interdependence of all things, and also the understanding that compassion grounded in the recognition of shared humanity forms the basis of an ethical way of life leading happiness for all. As our world becomes more interconnected, all human beings need to learn to rise above narrow self interest for the sake of our fragile planet. one of my deeply held convictions is that each one of us could embrace what i call “the oneness of humanity”- a visceral sense of our shared community that acknowledges the simple fact that just like me everyone else wishes to be happy and does not want suffering- our world would be a better and kinder place for all”. These words of his reminds us that compassion is not an optional virtue, but a vital part of human survival and connection.
Lastly on this day, the world doesn’t just celebrate a man, we celebrate the values he Lastly on this day, the world doesn’t just celebrate a man, we celebrate the values he embodies, kindness over cruelty, hope over despair, unity over division. His is a life that proves one soul, grounded in love, can awaken the conscience of many. While division is man-made, compassion is human-born. The world may be divided by countless forces, but it can be brought together by just one:Compassion. His birthday serves as a reminder and a call to action-to lead with the heart and not ego. So let 6th July serve as a reminder, a beacon and a beginning of a movement for compassion, because whenever and wherever compassion is bornthe world becomes a little more whole. Let this year be proof that humanity not only hears those words but lives by them.Let this special day be an invitation to embrace compassion and peace, not just in words, but in our daily actions.
One Life.Many Hearts. one day for universal compassion.
Many Happy Returns of the Day Your Holiness, May you always be blessed with good health. Thank you for showing us how one life can touch many hearts.
Long Live His Holiness The 14TH Dalai Lama!
Chokpa Bhutia
Sunday, July 6, 2025