Every year on the sixth of July, the hill town of Dharamshala comes alive with festivities marking the Dalai Lama’s birthday. This time, there is a strange heaviness to the atmosphere. It’s as though the realisation has seeped in that His Holiness at 90, may not have many years ahead of him and Tibet’s community in exile must prepare for the uncertainties ahead.
Amid the misty air, as the Long Life Prayer for the Dalai Lama resonates through the hills, the streets are crowded with devotees, Tibet watchers from around the world and of course the ubiquitous media.
“We think this year he will retire”, said a man traveling with a group to attend the event. But do Dalai Lamas retire? Has it ever happened in the past? The current Dalai Lama did step away from his political role in 2011, paving the way for institutions that are elected by the exiled Tibetan community.
But there’s no retirement from spiritual duties since the Dalai Lama is regarded as the reincarnation of Avalokiteswara, a Bodhisattava of compassion. And the future is set with the Dalai Lama indicating a few days back, that his successor will happen through reincarnation. Normally that happens after the Dalai Lama’s death.
In the streets of this temple town, faith rules supreme. A woman pilgrim from Bhutan clings to her faith, convinced that since the “Dalai Lama unites the entire Buddhist tradition and embodies the spirit of the Buddha,” the future is assured.
The child with her is her future: he will see the Dalai Lama in person and will hopefully carry that meeting in his heart forever.
A group of women have come all the way from Israel, his birthday is a spiritual ritual for them, one that they don’t miss.
Not to miss the maroon-robed monks who move with a quiet optimism, grounded in their faith in the Dalai Lama’s long life. For them, he is their unwavering guiding light and nothing can dim that.
But yes, all agree that his 90th birthday is special. What is His Holiness likely to say that could clear any doubts and uncertainties regarding the future. July 6th will hopefully set all those doubts to rest.
