The Dalai Lama's birthday is the only Buddhist holiday celebrated on the European calendar. On this day, every follower of Tibetan Buddhism offers prayers in honor of the XIV Dalai Lama - the current high priest of the Lamaist church.
His Holiness's birthday is celebrated on 6 July. It was on this day in 1935 that Tenzin Gyatso was born - a simple boy from a poor peasant family, who later became the leader of Tibetan Buddhism and an outstanding person.
He was chosen according to the Buddhist principle of reincarnation, according to which the soul of the deceased Dalai Lama is transferred to a newly born baby, thanks to which he possesses extensive knowledge and skills as early as childhood. Since the XIII Dalai Lama once noticed that he would like to be reborn in a beautiful village called Taktser, the future ruler and began to look there. After the traditional tests that a special group of lamas who came to the village arranged for all the kids, the four-year-old Tenzin was recognized as the person who reincarnated the spirit of the XIII Dalai Lama. He was taken from his parental home, and a year later, Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned and proclaimed by the XIV Dalai Lama.
He studied according to the traditional system from the best mentors who gave him knowledge in logic, Tibetan culture, medicine, Sanskrit, philosophy, music, poetry, astrology, literature and dramatic arts. Then he brilliantly passed the exam on them in front of 20,000 learned monks and received the title of Doctor of Theology.
During his reign, the Dalai Lama did a lot for his people, devoting his life to the struggle for the peace and prosperity of Tibet. His policy rejected any violence, and he always advocated mutual understanding between peoples of different countries and religions.
It is not surprising that on his birthday he hears only kind words from followers of various religions. On this holiday, prayers for the health, prosperity and longevity of His Holiness are read in the Lamaist temples of the country, and millions of ordinary people send their best wishes to him.
