Article author:
Associated Press
Ashwini Bhatia
Dharamsala, India (AP) — Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama celebrates his 87th birthday on Wednesday in India on a hillside Opened a library and museum at its headquarters in India. ..
He was supported by many followers, including his longtime disciple American actor Richard Gere.
Hundreds of school children, monks and locals prayed for his health and life at the Tsugrakan Temple near the Dalai Lama's residence.
The Dalai Lama Library and Museum contains books on artifacts, his teachings, and his life and struggle for the autonomy of Tibet and the protection of its indigenous Buddhist culture.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Dalai Lama on the phone and hoped to be well on his birthday.
"Today I called the Pope a greeting on his 87th birthday. I wish him longevity and good health," Modi said in a tweet.
This is the second public confirmation of a meeting with the Dalai Lama since Modi took office as Prime Minister in 2014. This approval is important as relations between India and China, which do not recognize the self-proclaimed Tibetan government, are deteriorating. -During his exile, the Dalai Lama accuses Tibet of trying to separate from China.
The Dalai Lama has been headquartered in the hillside town of Dharamsala since fleeing Tibet after a failed rebellion against Chinese rule in 1959. India considers Tibet part of China, but accepts Tibetan asylum seekers.
The Dalai Lama denies that he is a separatist and states that he only claims substantial autonomy and protection of Tibetan indigenous Buddhist culture.
