Image borrowed from Ravencrow.org
Today is the Dalai Lama’s 77th birthday. “Tenzin Gyatso was born in Taktser of Qinghai on July 6, 1935. While recognised by Tibetans as being the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama two years later, he was formally given the status of the 14th Dalai Lama only on November 17, 1950, at the age of 15. ” ~ dnaindia.com
There are many people who want to celebrate this man, his kindness and promotion of non-violence, but there are many who still cannot because of harsh government oppression.
“According to the Associated Press, exiled Tibetans in Nepal were banned from observing His Holiness’ birthday, and were blocked by police from entering the school where a birthday party was to be held. The reason being that Tibetan ceremonies and observances can lead to anti-Chinese protests. ” ~ Huffington Post.com
Yes, the United States considers China an ally, but you really have to wonder about a government which would condone the things involved in the Occupation of Tibet. It reminds me very much of how our own government has treated the Native Americans in our country. There are numerous sites that can show us what we can each do to help the people in Tibet. One such is FreeTibet.org. Of course, this site and others like it are considered “harmful” by the Chinese Government, and banned, since they are critical of their policies and voice opinions about democracy and basic human rights.
image borrowed from strangehyacinth.com
Now, whether or not you believe in re-incarnation, or the tenets of Buddhism, when you learn about such tyranny it becomes more difficult to turn a blind eye to the suffering of those being oppressed. There have even been threats to poison or assassinate the Dalai Lama as recently as last month. 😦
It is my birthday wish to him that He continues to enjoy a long and healthy life and that soon the people of Tibet will be truly free. He is a kind and wise man with interesting and thought-provoking things to say. There are many of his quotes floating around out there in the world and the internet. One of my favorites is:
“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” ~ Dalai Lama
It reminds me to stop and consider how judgmental of others that I might be, if I don’t try and stay aware and mindful of how different we all are. Tolerance is sadly one of the things we don’t do well, here in America. There are indeed different paths to the top of the mountain. May your path today be full of light, love and peace. 🙂
image borrowed from banffcentre.ca
This is Meileshueshan, which translates as “Meile Snow Mountain” and marks the border between China and Tibet. It has never successfully been climbed.
~ Dragon's Dreams ~ 
Thank you for raising awareness of the plight of Tibet and for the useful links, Corina. The scale of oppression that this spiritual nation has been subject to is truly heartbreaking. Like you and the Dalai Lama, I pray for an end to it, soon. Peace, love and light to you, too!
Thank you, J! It will only change with awareness of how awful the people in Tibet have it. If I can help spread that awareness, then I’m all about that! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to come by.
Thank You for Making Heightening Awareness of the Situation in Tibet.
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing the link! The more people who become aware of it, the closer we get to stopping the occupation! 🙂
I’m Sharing The Link as Well-Thank You!
Perfect post and my sentiments exactly!
i just wrote a post about sweet sentiments making me sick …. be assured is not about you! and wishes for peace ……….. know that is from a true sincerity, and i also feel for those in asia working to bring peace and find ways for greater degrees of freedom. i think it was tibet, where the people are having to send “revolutionaries” into the forests to protect the trees! that the forests are being decimated, and the monks are trying to teach the children the importance of saving these groves of what can be some very rare wood.
🙂 Thanks for the heads up, E. It’s so sad that people are being oppressed all over the world, but I guess the Tibetans hold a special place in my heart because their traditions and way of looking at the world resonates with me more than many other places. It would not surprise me about the trees – they very much believe in balance, and see the need for a balance between people and the environment.
An absolutely wonderful homage to the Dalai Lama, Corina. All of the points you make are right on target … and you picked the perfect quote.
Am reblogging this on “Into the Bardo’ …
Wishing you every blessing. Blog on …
Thanks, Jamie. 🙂 I didn’t want to let the day pass without a tribute to him of some sort, and of course that had to include some information about the plight of Tibet. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the re-blog!
Reblogged this on INTO THE BARDO and commented:
This is a perfect homage to the Dalai Lama on his birthday. It is from Corina at “Dragon’s Dream.”
Thank you again, Jamie. 🙂 I hope this message gets out to as many people as possible to make more people aware.
I’ve always been a fan of the Dolly Llama, thanks for celebrating his birthday! 😉
🙂 Thanks for being his fan and for stopping by, Cap’n!
This was such a deep breath moment for me…he is a great man and what continur=es to happen to his country is heartbreaking
*Nods* He IS a wonderful man – so full of light and love…and wisdom. I wish more people were concerned with the plight of Tibet. It really is a horribly sad thing. 😦 Anyway, thanks for coming by and leaving me a smile! 🙂
Wonderful post and tribute to a truly enlightened person. Once when I was visiting Chicago, there was an exhibit at a University museum on Buddhism and Thomas Merton. They had a pair of the his slippers in a plexiglass case. When I passed close to it, I got a shock! Also, good to remember the tragic situation in Tibet. Unthinkable.
Thanks for coming by, Victoria. 🙂 It does not surprise me at all that you got a shock being close to those slippers, as I’m sure that you have more ‘awareness’ than many. The universe vibrates (as you know) and if the frequencies are close enough, those vibrations can definitely be felt!
Thank you for all the comments you left at my blog Corina, it was a great company with the coffee this morning! I hope all is well!
I’m late to seeing this post, Corina…but I did take the time to send His Holiness a birthday greeting through ICT (International Campaign for Tibet) another great site for supporting the Dalai Lama and his people. It is through my membership with them that I received two free tickets to a private audience with the Dalai Lama and other speakers at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. What an experience! A very supportive and loving post, Corina. You don’t have to be Buddhist…to be Buddhist…if you know what I mean…
I remember you posting about that experience! I do indeed know exactly what you mean! 😉 Thanks for coming by, Gayle. I knew you would like this one.