Sun Jul 06 03:57:26 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday Amidst Succession Controversy**
**DHARAMSHALA, INDIA – July 6, 2025** – Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, marked his 90th birthday on Sunday with celebrations at the Tsuglagkhang Temple complex in Dharamshala. The week-long festivities were attended by thousands of followers from across the globe, celebrities, and representatives from both the United States and India.
The birthday celebrations were preceded by statements from the Dalai Lama reaffirming his intention to reincarnate and asserting the authority of the Gaden Phodrang Trust to determine his successor. This declaration reignited tensions with China, which insists on its right to approve the next Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has been a vocal advocate for Tibetan autonomy and religious freedom. He continues to champion a peaceful “Middle Way” approach.
Global leaders extended birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising him as “an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the United States’ commitment to promoting Tibetan human rights and religious freedoms, urging Beijing to cease interference in the selection of religious leaders.
The celebrations included cultural performances and speeches. The Dalai Lama also delivered a message emphasizing his ongoing commitment to promoting human values and religious harmony.
The issue of the Dalai Lama’s succession remains a point of contention, with the United States calling on China to respect the religious freedom of Tibetans and refrain from interfering in the process.
First Piper 