The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Sunday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with an official ceremony in Dharamshala.
The historic occasion marks February 22, 1940, when the four-year-old Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned on the Golden Throne at Sishi Phuntsok Hall in the Potala Palace, following his recognition as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
The commemorative ceremony was held at Thekchen Choeling Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj. Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi attended as the Chief Guest. Also present were former Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche, Members of the Philippines’ House of Representatives Adrian Michael A. Amatong and Rufus B. Rodriguez, along with representatives of various faiths and communities from across India.
The programme began with the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts leading the Tibetan National Anthem as the Tibetan national flag was ceremonially hoisted in the temple courtyard. Kailash Satyarthi hoisted the Indian national flag on the occasion.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered the Kashag’s official statement, underscoring the global relevance of His Holiness’s enduring message of compassion, nonviolence, and universal responsibility. Addressing the gathering in Hindi, Samdhong Rinpoche described the 1940 enthronement as a defining moment not only for Tibet but for the wider world, crediting the Dalai Lama’s leadership with preserving Tibetan culture and promoting interfaith harmony and environmental consciousness.
Adrian Michael A. Amatong paid tribute to His Holiness, calling the enthronement the beginning of a lifelong commitment to human dignity and compassion. Drawing parallels with the Philippines’ own struggle for freedom, he expressed solidarity with the Tibetan people. Rufus B. Rodriguez recalled the events of 1959, when His Holiness fled Lhasa following the uprising and later established the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala. He also noted that the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his steadfast commitment to nonviolence.
Representatives of different faiths and communities, including Shri Ajay Kumar Sharma, Muhammad Kamil Jamie, Rev. Victor Khojee, and Sarbjeet Singh, addressed the gathering and expressed admiration for His Holiness’s lifelong dedication to peace and dialogue.
In his keynote address, Kailash Satyarthi described the 86-year journey of His Holiness as one that “moved from darkness toward light.” Reflecting on the 1940 ceremony, he observed that while a child ascended the Golden Throne, it was his wisdom and spiritual strength that gave it true meaning. He emphasised that the recognition of a future Dalai Lama rests solely within established Tibetan Buddhist traditions and cannot be determined by any political authority.
Kailash Satyarthi and his family, along with Sikyong Penpa Tsering, also met His Holiness at his residence in Dharamshala today .
Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivered the Parliament’s official statement. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Tsering Dhondup, Vice Chair of the Central Ghoton Organising Committee and Secretary of the CTA’s Department of Finance.
Senior CTA officials, including Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Kalons of various departments, members of the Tibetan Parliament Standing Committee, officials of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and representatives of Tibetan NGOs, were present at the commemorative event.
Photo curtsey ,,,,,,,,,,,Dalai Lama Office
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