TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Dalai Lama was seen Sunday wearing a baseball cap with the words “Team Taiwan” on the front.
The Tibetan spiritual leader celebrated his 90th birthday in the mountain town of Dharamsala, northern India, per CNA. Taiwanese members of the South India-based Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery sang for him during the event.
A boy from the group presented him with a cap displaying Team Taiwan and a jersey featuring his name. The Dalai Lama accepted the gifts, put on the cap, and gently touched the child's face in a gesture of blessing.
He also paused to watch a performance from the Techno Santaizi dancers. They carried Taiwan’s flag and a peach-shaped birthday lantern, while the Dalai Lama briefly swayed in response to the dancers.
A group member surnamed Liu (劉) said the Dalai Lama had predicted in 2019 he would live to the age of 113, so the cap and jersey they presented were embroidered with the number "113," per CNA. The boy who presented the gift also wished him a happy birthday in English and expressed the hope that he could visit Taiwan.
On July 2, Tibetan religious leaders met in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama announced via video that he would reincarnate. He declared that “the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue” and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would have the authority to recognize his reincarnation.
The video below shows scenes from the birthday celebration.
