Ahead of his 90th birthday celebrations, the Dalai Lama on Saturday radiated optimism about his well-being, stating, “I hope to still live for 30-40 years more,” attributing his strength and longevity to the blessings of Avalokiteshvara.

The most well-known mantra of Avalokite?vara is chanted in Tibetan as “Om Mani Peme Hung”. While the mantra has many layers of meaning, it is often interpreted as “O Jewel in the Lotus, H??”. “Om” represents the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha, “Mani” is the jewel, “Padme” is the lotus flower, and “Hum” signifies the indivisibility of wisdom and compassion.

At a ceremony, steeped in ritual and reverence, in McLeodganj’s Tsuglagkhang Temple, where more than 15,000 devotees had assembled to offer long life prayers for the revered Tibetan spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso said, “Looking at the many prophecies, I feel I have blessings of the Avalokiteshvara. I have done my best so far. I hope to still live for 30-40 years more. Your prayers have borne fruit so far.”

The ceremony, attended by senior monks and followers from across the world, was part of the week-long celebrations organised by the Central Tibetan Administration, honouring not only the Dalai Lama’s life but also his spiritual leadership. The exiled leader’s birthday celebrations on Sunday are expected to be attended by cabinet ministers Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, and Rajiv Thackeray Ranjan Singh. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu among others.

Also, expected are Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Hollywood actor Richard Gere.

It was in 1960, when the 14th Dalai Lama and his entourage of family members, senior Lamas and others arrived in India after a perilous journey from Tibet, travelled through Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Tezpur (Assam) and Mussoorie, before finally reaching Dharamshala and then, the ashram in McLeodganj. For eight pivotal years, the ashram served as the residence of the Tibetan spiritual leader as he began rebuilding a displaced nation in exile.

Ahead of his birthday celebrations, the Dalai Lama had dispelled rumours on the question of his succession and instead reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to serving humanity. The spiritual leader said that ever since he was a child, he had the feeling that he had a strong connection with Avalokiteshvara. “And I have been able to serve the Buddha dharma and the beings of Tibet so far quite well. And still I hope to live over 130 years,” he said.

On the Tibetans who have lost their country and are living in exile in India, the Dalai Lama said : “Those living here in Dharamshala, I intend to benefit and serve beings as much as I can.” On the occasion, he also recalled meeting Chinese leader Mao Zedong, who famously said, “Religion is poison.” “...But I didn’t respond to him, so he actually cast a very evil gaze, but I didn’t respond. And I felt compassion. Then later I met Nehru. Throughout my life, I have met people who have an interest in religion and those who don’t have an interest in religion.”

 The spiritual leader noted that Buddhist scriptures talk about people having different mental dispositions and inclinations, but despite that, everyone strives for happiness. “Even those who have no religion or belief, they also strive to have happiness and avoid suffering. So all beings on this earth, even Tibetans, we don’t want suffering, we want happiness. All of us are the same in that sense. So accordingly, we need to engage in the methods to bring about happiness for them and alleviate their sufferings,” he said.

On the rumours of an announcement of the Dalai Lama’s successor making rounds since days ahead of his 90th birth anniversary, which have since been refuted in light of increased tension with China on the matter, Penpa Tsering, the president of the Central Tibetan Administration, said, “It doesn’t happen like that.”

 “Some are talking as if his Holiness is going to die tomorrow or the day after or next year or something. He says he’s going to live for another 20 years. So we have to understand the tradition. I think a lot of people came expecting this. His holiness might appoint somebody, or he might say that I’m going to be born in this place at that time. It doesn’t happen like that,” Tsering said.