I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your warm greetings on my 87th birthday. I deeply appreciate your good wishes and consider them to be a recognition of whatever little I have been able to contribute towards developing a more peaceful society.
Your words are a firm support for my efforts to be of service to others. Your hope and confidence in me strengthens my determination to contribute to the wellbeing of the more than seven billion human beings on this planet.
My message, based on simple logical reasoning, is that compassion – caring for the wellbeing of others – is essential. Regardless of one’s beliefs, it is important to be compassionate in our everyday lives.
During our childhood, our mothers raised us with affection, nurturing us with loving kindness. By living our lives compassionately, we will be happy and will positively affect our family and friends.
Through cultivating peace of mind within ourselves, I believe that there is a real opportunity for the world to become a more peaceful place.
Today, I appeal to all my friends: whether you accept religion or not, kindly practice Compassion, that is, whenever possible please try to help others, irrespective of who they are.
That’s all I want to say today. Tashi Deleg!
-His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Tibet House US is dedicated to preserving Tibet’s unique culture at a time when it is confronted with extinction on its own soil. By presenting Tibetan civilization and its profound wisdom, beauty, and special art of freedom to the people of the world, we hope to inspire others to join the effort to protect and save it.
Tibet House US is part of a worldwide network of Tibetan institutions committed to ensuring that the light of the Tibetan spirit never disappears from the face of this earth.
