
07/07/2025
Yesterday, on 6 July 2025, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama turned 90. In a joyful gathering filled with warmth and respect, he reminded us of the power of compassion and selflessness. “I consider all beings as my friends and relatives,” he said, reflecting on a life devoted to bodhichitta—the wish to awaken for the benefit of all. At 90, he reaffirmed his commitment to serving others as a humble monk, urging us to cultivate loving-kindness and wisdom in our own lives. May his words continue to inspire peace in the world.
His Holiness was invited to address the gathering.
“Today, my dear friends, you are celebrating my 90th birthday. You have gathered here with joy in your hearts. I am a human being and it is natural for human beings to be affectionate and to help one another. Those of us who come from Buddhist countries have a strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood.
"I regularly reflect on what Shantideva wrote in his book, ‘Entering into the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ and I consider all beings as my friends and relatives.
"You are attending this celebration happily, with joy in your hearts. Your joy inspires me because I cultivate awakening mind of bodhichitta. As a consequence of this, many people treat me with respect. If I was selfish and self-centred that wouldn’t be the case.
“Bodhichitta is a powerful practice. Combining it with the view of emptiness I establish the foundation for my enlightenment. I took bhikshu, Buddhist monk’s, vows in front of the Jowo, the principal image of the Buddha in Lhasa, in the company of my tutors Tagdak Rinpoché, Ling Rinpoché and Trijang Rinpoché. I have kept them well—I observe them with bodhichitta. If I am able to continue to practise well, I’ll be able to die in peace.
“I’m 90 years old today. In addition to bodhichitta, I have also worked to cultivate concentration (shamatha) and special insight (vipashyana) as well as I could. I feel I have not wasted my life, and although I have the title of Dalai Lama, I’m not proud of myself. As a follower of the Buddha, a bhikshu or monk, serving other people and serving the teaching, these are my main practices.
“Genuine bodhichitta arises gradually, but I am moved to serve others, and the more I do that the greater the joyful response I feel from others.
“Many people have gathered here today, not out of any sense of obligation, but out of joy and respect. I appeal to you all to make bodhichitta and an understanding of emptiness your own practice—thank you.”