• The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, turned 90 amid celebrations and global support.
• He reasserted plans to reincarnate, emphasizing autonomy from Chinese authority.
• The celebrations included prominent figures such as Indian PM Narendra Modi and Richard Gere.
• China maintains it will control the process of recognizing his successor.
• Thousands of followers participated in honoring his legacy and message of peace.

The Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday in Dharamshala, India, surrounded by thousands of followers and supporters, including prominent dignitaries from around the world. He expressed hope to live beyond 130 years and confirmed his intent to reincarnate as the leader of Tibetan Buddhism after his death, which has sparked discussions about the future of the Dalai Lama institution amid China's insistence on approving his successor. "I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations," the Dalai Lama remarked during the festivities, which featured cultural performances from Tibetan artists and various attendees, including U.S. officials and celebrities like Richard Gere, who praised him as "the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet," according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and NPR.

The celebratory events also included remarks from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who highlighted the Dalai Lama as an "enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline." The Dalai Lama's message during the celebration emphasized peace and compassion, reinforcing his commitment to cultural and religious autonomy for Tibetans against Chinese oppression, which has involved strict control over Tibetan life since Chinese forces entered Tibet in 1950. The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile since 1959, noted, "When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all," reflecting on his life's dedication to others, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and NPR.

Celebrations were not limited to India; they extended to Kathmandu, Nepal, where Tibetan refugees and others gathered to mark the occasion with prayers and cultural displays. The ongoing tensions regarding the succession of the Dalai Lama are significant, as China has indicated that it will not recognize any successor chosen without its consent, claiming that the next leader will be determined "by drawing lots from a golden urn," a method steeped in Buddhist tradition, which the Dalai Lama himself has criticized if seen as coercive or disingenuous. "The succession is indeed a matter of great concern for Tibetan autonomy and identity," underlining the importance of this celebration in the broader context of Tibetan resistance, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and NPR.