Photo of H. H. the Dalai Lama, courtesy of The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
As the world celebrates the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in July 2025, we pause to offer our deepest gratitude and reverence for a life that has become a beacon of compassion, wisdom, and spiritual courage.
For nine decades, His Holiness has served as a living embodiment of what it means to walk the path of peace with unwavering dignity. His presence on this Earth has been nothing short of a blessing to all who long for a more harmonious and compassionate world.
Among those who cherished and honored his extraordinary presence was Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev). The two shared a profound and enduring friendship, forged through a common vision: to foster unity among faiths and sow the seeds of peace through spiritual understanding. Their bond was not merely ceremonial, but a genuine and affectionate partnership of the heart, rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to serve humanity beyond all boundaries.
Throughout the years, His Holiness and Swami Satchidananda appeared together on many platforms, speaking on the vital need for interreligious cooperation and nonviolence. They stood shoulder to shoulder—two great souls from two rich spiritual traditions—each echoing the timeless truth that at the heart of all authentic religion lies the call to love, to serve, and to uplift.
When the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) was dedicated in 1986—a shining sanctuary built to honor all the world’s faiths—the Dalai Lama appointed his close representative, Lama Doboom Tulku Rinpoche, then the head of Tibet House in Delhi, to visit. Lama Doboom Rinpoche soon after became an esteemed advisor to the Lotus Center for All Faiths, serving as a bridge between the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the interfaith vision embodied by the LOTUS. His presence among the advisory board was a testament to the Dalai Lama’s deep support of initiatives that bring spiritual traditions together in mutual reverence and service.
Photo: Lama Doboom Tulku meeting with Swami Satchidananda at the Ashram in 1986.
This commitment to interfaith dialogue was further deepened when, in 1998, the Dalai Lama invited Swami Satchidananda to join a historic plenary session in Washington, DC. The gathering brought together esteemed religious leaders from various traditions, all seeking to find common ground in their efforts to promote global harmony.
The result of that meeting was the formation of the “Interreligious Friendship Group”—a collective dedicated to advancing understanding across traditions and collaborating on initiatives for world peace. The group met again in 1999, this time hosted by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through these and many other efforts, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently demonstrated that true spiritual leadership does not reside in grand declarations but in the quiet, steadfast example of a life dedicated to love, truth, and peace.
It is not only the Tibetan people or the Buddhist world who revere the Dalai Lama—it is anyone whose heart has been touched by his message of universal compassion. His teachings resonate with seekers of all backgrounds, reminding us that no matter what path we walk, kindness is our highest calling, and peace is our shared responsibility.
In an age when division and fear often dominate headlines, His Holiness offers a radically different vision. He teaches that genuine happiness comes not from material gain or power, but from inner peace. And this inner peace, he tells us, arises from cultivating compassion for others. “My religion is very simple,” he once said. “My religion is kindness.”
This simplicity is what makes his message so profound. He does not preach exclusivity or superiority but instead invites all people to discover the essence of their own spiritual heritage—and to honor the truths found in the faiths of others. This principle aligns seamlessly with the vision that Swami Satchidananda articulated so often: “Truth is one, paths are many.” In their lives and their friendship, these two great souls illustrated that truth with both grace and humility.
Photo: The Dalai Lama greets Swami Satchidananda at the “Interreligious Friendship Group” plenary session, Washington, DC, 1998.
There is a certain rare joy in being in the presence of a true peacemaker. Those who have met the Dalai Lama, or simply listened to his words, often speak of the disarming power of his smile, the warmth of his humor, and the deep serenity that radiates from his being. These are not the outer signs of one who has lived a life untouched by hardship. On the contrary, His Holiness has endured exile, loss, and sorrow with dignity and compassion. What makes him so remarkable is that he has allowed these hardships to deepen his heart, not harden it.
One of the most poignant stories often shared by His Holiness reveals just how deeply rooted this compassion is within his tradition. A close friend of the Dalai Lama’s—a fellow monk who had been imprisoned for many years in a Chinese prison—was once asked by His Holiness after his release, “How did you find your time in prison?” The monk replied softly, “It was very difficult and challenging.” The Dalai Lama then asked, “What was most difficult?” The monk paused and answered with great sincerity, “I almost lost my compassion… for the guards.”
That moment, quiet and unadorned, captures the heart of the Dalai Lama’s message to the world. Compassion is not merely a noble idea—it is a daily, living practice. Even in the face of cruelty, to hold fast to compassion is the highest expression of human strength and spiritual maturity.
Even now, at the age of 90, he continues to meet with leaders, students, scientists, and spiritual seekers from every corner of the globe. His talks on secular ethics, mindfulness, and compassion are shared widely, transcending religious labels and awakening a global conscience. He often says that his greatest interest is not in converting anyone to Buddhism, but in encouraging people to be better human beings—more joyful, more honest, and more compassionate.
As we reflect on his 90 years of life, we also celebrate his timelessness. For though the body ages, the spirit of compassion knows no limits. The light that shines from his heart has already illuminated millions of other hearts. And as long as we carry that light forward—by treating one another with respect, by reaching across divisions, and by anchoring our lives in love—we honor him in the truest way.
On this auspicious occasion, Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville and the Integral Yoga organization sends our deepest pranams and respects to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. May his life continue to be a fountain of peace for the world. May his example inspire future generations to walk the path of loving service. And may the friendship between his tradition and ours serve as a living reminder that peace is possible—not just as an ideal, but as a way of life.
Happy 90th Birthday, Your Holiness. The world is better because you are in it.
