Editorial photo #13933472 Human Interest

Exiled Tibetans In Nepal Celebrate 91st Birthday Of Exiled Tibetans In Nepal Celebrate 91st Birthday Of Dalai LamaDalai Lama

Members of the exiled Tibetan community in Nepal install an image of the 14th Dalai Lama during a ceremony to celebrate his 91st birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 6, 2026. The event features the playing of the Tibetan and Nepali national anthems by younger members of the Tibetan community in exile. Monks, devotees, and international guests gather to honor the life and teachings of the Dalai Lama. Born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, in Takster, Tibet, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age two and formally installed as the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet on February 22, 1940, receiving the name Tenzin Gyatso. The term ''Dalai Lama'' means ''Ocean of Wisdom'' in Mongolian. In Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lamas are considered manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Following the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, the Dalai Lama assumed full political authority in 1950 and fled into exile in March 1959. He has since lived in India with over 80,000 Tibetan refugees, advocating for peace and compassion. Celebrations occur across Tibetan settlements worldwide, with many expressing hope for the continuation of the Dalai Lama's lineage through a recognized reincarnation. The Dalai Lama's birthday is officially observed on July 6 according to the Gregorian calendar. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto)