INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, turns 90 today (Jul 6) after a week of celebrations by followers during which he
riled China once again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.The Nobel laureate is considered as one of
the worlds most prominent spiritual leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism, however not by Beijing which calls him a
separatist.Fleeing his native Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the 14th Dalai Lama along with hundreds
of countless Tibetans nestled in India and has since advocated for a tranquil Middle Way to look for autonomy and spiritual liberty for
Tibetan people.Thousands of followers from around the globe, celebrities and officials from the United States and India, will attend his
birthday events in Dharamshala, the little Indian town in the foothills of the Himalayas where the Dalai Lama lives.During the celebrations,
which will consist of cultural performances and remarks by veteran follower and Hollywood star Richard Gere along with federal Indian
ministers, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to deliver a speech.The preceding week of celebrations was particularly crucial for Tibetan Buddhists
as the Dalai Lama had formerly discussed that he would speak about his succession at his 90th birthday.On Wednesday, he allayed their issues
about the future of the institution of the Dalai Lama by saying that he would reincarnate as the leader of the faith upon his death and that
his non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, had the sole authority to recognise his successor.China has stated that the succession
will need to be approved by its leaders.The US, which is looking for to counter the increase of China, has contacted Beijing to cease what
it refers to as interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist lamas.Source: Reuters- Agencies
