New York, USA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama virtually addressed the occasion of his 89th birthday, thanking everyone for the birthday greetings that poured in from all corners of the globe.
“Today, Tibetans inside and outside Tibet are celebrating my birthday with much joy and festivity. All Tibetans and people in the Himalayan regions also pray for me as well. I wish to say, “Thank you, everyone.
I am nearly 90 now, but I don’t feel unhealthy except for the slight discomfort in my legs. I am basically healthy. I want to thank all my fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet for your prayers on my birthday. I was born in the land of Dhomay ( Amdo ), and I bear the title of the Dalai Lama. I did my best while I was in Tibet and after coming into exile. I have served to the best of my ability. Accordingly, it seems I have been beneficial to a good measure. There is growing interest in the Tibetan cause worldwide, and I feel I have made a small contribution toward it. I wish to ask everyone, especially the fellow Tibetans inside Tibet, to feel at ease and be relaxed. I feel a slight physical discomfort, but that is inevitable, isn’t it, due to the ageing process.
Basically, I am doing very well. So, please relax and be at ease. Today, I have something special to tell you. Recently I had surgery on my knee which has given me some problems. However, I am recovering and have no problem at all now. So, please be happy and feel at ease. There may be people trying to confuse you about my health, dating that Dalai Lama has gone to the hospital and is undergoing treatments, and so on, making my condition sound grave. You don’t need to trust such misinformation. As far as I myself am concerned, of course, I had some little problems with my knees. The hospital did medical tests and examinations on my knee, and the entire team treated me with so much love and dedication in their service to help me. So, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of them. And for the general public, despite the surgery, I feel physically fit. So, I wish to ask you to be happy and relaxed.
Until now, with the title of the Dalai Lama, I have made a contribution, to a certain extent, to people in and outside of Tibet and many parts of the world, and most importantly, with regard to the Buddha’s teaching. Still, I am determined to continue my service to teaching; I am resolved to do so with all my heart. I wish to urge all Tibetans, wherever you are, to please keep making your prayers for me on my birthday celebration. Please do your best”, concluded His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
