Dalai Lama's 90th birthday marked by interfaith celebrations

Sir Ian Duncan Smith and guests at the Tibetan Peace Park celebration for the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday and the Year of Compassion

The 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been marked by interfaith celebrations around the world.

Speaking on behalf of the British government, the UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, said in a statement: "The 14th Dalai Lama, based in Dharamshala, India, is the spiritual religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, strong human rights advocate, and defender of FoRB for Tibetan Buddhists. And on 6 July he celebrates his 90th birthday, to which the UK express congratulations and well wishes."

In London on Saturday, a special reception was held at the historic St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, hosted by the Office of Tibet alongside our friends from International Tibet Network and Tibet Action Institute.

In attendance was Chris Law MP, former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and Co-Convener of Cross-Party Group for Tibet, Linda Fabiani, prominent religious leaders Lama Zangmo of Kagyu Samye Dzong and Reverend Bishop Mark Nicholson, the Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Britain and the Representative of the Central Tibetan Administration, Tsering Yangkey, all of whom shared powerful words of solidarity and hope. A portrait of the Dalai Lama by Koo Stark was unveiled during the event.

There were interfaith prayers, live performances, cultural displays and a vibrant atmosphere for the celebration of Dalai Lama's birthday in the Tibetan Peace Garden, next to Imperial War Museum - across the road from St George's Cathedral in Southwark.

Among those attending was the Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor Linda Bird and Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Catholic MP Chingford & Woodford Green, who wrote later on X: "I attended the celebrations of the Dalai Lama 90th birthday who has been in exile since the Chinese took over Tibet. 250,000 Tibetan men are in forced, slave labour, China is a brutal occupier of Tibet and Tibetans fear China will eventually name a rival successor to the Dalai Lama, bolstering Beijing's control over Tibet."

Thousands of people from around the world travelled to Dharamshala, the small Indian town in the foothills of the Himalayas where the Dalai Lama lives, to mark his birthday.

Describing himself as "a simple Buddhist monk" who doesn't normally celebrate his birthday, the Dalai Lama gave a short message appealing for peace and compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism in the world.

He said: "While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.

As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion."

While the Chinese government has stated that it plans to appoint the Dalai Lama's successor, he has now confirmed in a message that only the Office of the Dalai Lama - in consultation with heads of Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors has the responsibility for identifying and recognising future Dalai Lama reincarnations.