As we celebrate today the historic event marking the 86th anniversary of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama’s enthronement upon the Golden Throne at the Potala Palace, the Kashag extends its warmest greetings to Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet, and to all friends of Tibet.
Eighty-six years ago, on 17 July 1939, the young child Lhamo Thondup, together with his parents and retinue, departed from Kumbum Jampa Ling, the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa, Tibet’s preeminent scholar. This departure followed his recognition as the true reincarnation as His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama after three years of meticulous search, investigation and divine oracular decrees. On 8 October 1939, His Holiness arrived safely at the Norbulingka Palace at the nation’s capital, Lhasa.
The official enthronement ceremony, accession to the fearless lion-upholding throne, was held in the Sishi Phuntsok Hall, within the Potala Palace on 22 February 1940. This ushered in an auspicious destiny, fulfilling the immutable vow of the Lotus-Bearer, Avalokiteshvara, to guide the people of the Land of Snow as his disciples until the end of aeons and to assume the sacred stewardship over the destiny of Tibet and its people.
Although the entire world at that time was shrouded in the darkness of the Second World War and Tibet’s political situation had fallen into a precarious state due to the Kuomintang government’s invasion of territories in the Tibetan regions of Amdo and Kham, the true reincarnation as His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama was recognized with unmistakable certainty and without any external interference. This was achieved through the convergence of visions beheld by Regent Reting Rinpoche in the sacred lake of Lhamoi Latso, the oracular pronouncements of Tibet’s protector deities, the potential candidate’s unerring identification of the late Dalai Lama’s personal effects, and the formal proclamation of his sublime signs at the full session of the Tibetan National Assembly.
Today, as we commemorate this auspicious and extraordinary occasion of historic significance, we also honour His Holiness’s lifelong commitment to and practice of compassion and non-violence throughout the world. We also remember the profound wisdom of the Gaden Phodrang officials and the Tibetan people of that era, who countered all internal and external obstacles and through the diligent fulfilment of their duties demonstrated Tibet’s independent status to the international community.
For Tibet, the enthronement ceremony held eighty-six years ago signified the enduring continuity of its sovereign authority through a unique system of governance rooted in sacred tradition and established by divine mandate. It was a solemn ceremony manifesting the connection of the “iron hook” of Avalokiteshvara’s compassion with the “ring of faith” held by the deities and people of the Land of Snow. The Gaden Phodrang Government granted permission to representatives of the Chinese Kuomintang Government, the British Government, and the neighbouring nations of Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan to pay obeisance and present tributes for the enthronement, and received them accordingly. The communist government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) persistently propagates the falsehood that the Kuomintang representative presided over the ceremony and that Regent Reting Rinpoche submitted a petition requesting exemption from the so-called “Golden Urn Lottery.” Innumerable archived documents and successive scholarly works have not only debunked these false claims but also brought the actual facts to light.
Eighty-six years is not merely a historical marker, but a magnificent chronicle of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama’s practice and promotion of his four principal commitments: the promotion of human values, the fostering of religious harmony, the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, and the revival of ancient Indian knowledge. Through his teachings and practice of compassion, His Holiness has demonstrated to the 21st century world that compassion and tolerance are not signs of weakness but symbols of strength—a legacy recently recognized at the prestigious 68th Annual Grammy Awards on 1 February 2026. His Holiness, through his lifelong practice and teachings of compassion and wisdom, has bestowed boundless light upon human civilization and further elevated the Tibetan cause from a purely political aspiration to the heights of universal pursuit of global peace, religious harmony, and environmental preservation.
Under the extraordinary leadership of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama and with the support from the international community, including from that of the government and the people of India, we have been able to preserve our language, religion, culture and national identity. Today, all Tibetans living all over the world can proudly proclaim, “I am a Tibetan.” Inside Tibet, the PRC government’s relentless policies and practices to eradicate and sinicize Tibetan national identity have failed to break the resilient spirit of the Tibetan people and their determined resolve to cherish and preserve their distinct identity. All of these have been made possible due to the benevolent blessing, far-sighted vision and ingenious leadership of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama for which we continue to remain indebted with eternal gratitude.
Finally, we offer our fervent prayers for His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet to live for aeons and for the spontaneous fulfilment of all his noble aspirations. May the day of reunion of Tibetans in Tibet and in exile dawn upon us soon.
Kashag
22 February 2026
N.B.: This is the English translation of the original Tibetan statement. In case of any discrepancies, the original Tibetan text should be regarded as final and authoritative.
