Thousands of well-wishers gathered in the Indian hill town of Dharamshala on July 6 to mark the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama, celebrating the life and legacy of the Tibetan spiritual leader known globally for his message of peace, compassion, and nonviolence. Despite heavy monsoon rain and fog, the streets surrounding the Tsuklakhang Tibetan Buddhist complex were packed from early morning with people hoping to glimpse the Nobel Peace laureate.
The festivities included masked dancers in vibrant traditional attire performing to gongs and horns, while Indian government officials and actor Richard Gere, a longtime ally of the Dalai Lama, addressed the crowd.
The celebration marked the culmination of days of events in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama has lived since fleeing Tibet after a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.
The death of the Dalai Lama will mark the end of an era for Tibetan Buddhism, sparking profound religious, cultural, and political consequences. His passing will trigger the search for his reincarnation, a process vital for the continuation of Tibetan spiritual leadership. The Dalai Lama's death will also have significant global implications, especially concerning the future of Tibet, religious freedom, and the ongoing struggle between Tibetan independence and Chinese control.
Click on to explore the key events and challenges that will follow.