(TibetanReview.net, Jul05’25) – The Dalai Lama has on Jul 5 assured Tibetans, other devotees, and supporters, that he hopes to live for up to 40 more years, addressing a long-life prayer ceremony offered by the Central Tibetan Administration on behalf of Tibetans both in Tibet and exile.
“I feel I have the blessings of Avalokiteshvara and I’ve done my best so far. And I hope to live for another 30 or 40 years more,” he told the grand ceremonial gathering attended also by some of the top lamas of Tibet. They included the Sakya Trizin, the Ganden Tri Rinpoché, the Taklung Shapdrung, Khenpo Ngedo, the Minling Khenchen, the Menri Trizin, the Drikung Chetsang Rinpoché, Khenpo Donyo, and the Jonang Gyaltsab.
Avalokiteshvara, or Chenrezig in Tibetan, is the protector deity of Tibet, and of which the successive Dalai Lamas are believed to be human manifestations.
The ceremony was led by the Sakya Gongma Rinpoché, with the participation of the Tibetan Sikyong (executive head), the Speaker and the Chief Justice Commissioner, representing the three pillars of Tibetan democracy.
The event saw the recitation of Song of the Nectar of Immortality, a long-life prayer composed by Jamyang Khyentsé Chökyi Lodro; the chanting of the Song of Immortality—The Extensive Prayer for the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, composed by His Holiness’s two tutors; and the invocation of the emanations of Avalokiteshvara in India and Tibet composed by Trulshik Rinpoché.
In his address, the Dalai Lama also said: “As soon as I wake up in the morning, I make a prayer and reflect on bodhichitta in order to fulfil the aims of myself and others. In this way I generate the mind of awakening. I always intend and pray to be able to benefit all beings, including animals. For the last many years, Avalokiteshvara had been there on the crown of my head. I feel his blessings are always there and fall upon me.”
Bodhichitta refers to the aspiration and intention to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
The chief guests for the event included Mr Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; Mr Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Ladakh; Mr Kiren Rijiju, India’s Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (as well as for Minority Affairs); and Mr Sonam Lama, Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs of Sikkim.
The Dalai Lama’s remark about hoping to live for another up to 40 years came days after he proclaimed that his Gaden Phodrang Trust would be the sole agency for searching for his reincarnation when the time comes.
China has kept making it clear that it will select its own 15th Dalai Lama “reincarnation” on its own terms and in keeping with its own political requirements, which would be a travesty of this unique Tibetan Buddhist tradition. But this is only in keeping with the widespread allegation that Beijing is out to destroy the Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition in the name of Sinicization.