His Holiness joined several thousand people who had gathered to recite prayers to the Medicine Buddha. The event was organized and led by monks and Lamas of Sera Mé Monastic College, and presided over by the Sharpa Chöjé Rinpoché and the Abbot of Sera Mé, in honour of His Holiness’s forthcoming 90th birthday and the Year of Compassion announced by the Central Tibetan Administration.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Zandanshatar Gombojav to congratulate him on his election as Prime Minister of Mongolia.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Lee Jae-myung this morning to congratulate him on his victory in the Korean Presidential Election.

This morning, the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, was decorated with marigold garlands and the courtyard criss-crossed with lines of Tibetan and Buddhist flags. These were part of the ceremony for offering prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life. The patrons on this occasion were former students of the Central School for Tibetans (CST) Darjeeling, the Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey (TCNYNJ) and the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM).

His Holiness the Dalai Lama joined an estimated 4000 people, monks, nuns, laymen and women in reciting the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the Compassionate One, following a ritual known in Tibetan as Mani Dhungdrup.