Dharamshala, March 14 - On behalf of all the Tibetans in and outside Tibet and the traditional religious sects, the special organising committee and the retired civil servants of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) made a grand Tenshug (Long-life prayer offerings) to His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning at the Tsuglakhang.

As His Holiness turned 73 this Losar (Tibetan New Year), the Tibetans across the globe have been holding occasional prayer gatherings and religious ceremonies for His Holiness' long life and well-being.

Today's ceremony began at 6 o'clock with a ritual performance led by His Eminence the Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, head of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The ritual is dedicated to His Holiness for his long life.

His Holiness graced the ceremony at around 8 o'clock following which the long-life prayer offerings began.

In his address at the ceremony His Holiness urged the gathering to be mindful and act in good faith for the collective cause of the people of Tibet. He said that he believes those who are in service of our community are working hard and would continue to do so without fail.
 

For the retired staffs, His Holiness said that they have committed themselves for our cause at the critical time of our people and now as they are retired His Holiness asked them to stay happy.

His Holiness said "his position is that of semi-retirement." Yet, His Holiness said that he would continue to work hard for the people of the Land of Snow.

He said that he hopes to live for several more decades, saying that he is physically and mentally healthy which are the two most important things for long life.

The other important point, His Holiness said "is keep the sense of commitment among us and to work hard for our common cause."

11 eminent lamas, including the heads of all traditional schools of Buddhism, graced the ceremony.

Also present at the ceremony were dignitaries of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) including chief supreme justice commissioner and the two justice commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, speaker and deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPIE), Kalon Tripa and his colleagues, members of the Standing Committee and other deputies of the TPIE, officials of the CTA, and representatives of the non-governmental organisations, schools and institutions.

The special organising committee was formed after a resolution passed during the second session of the 14th TPIE. The committee consists of Mr Karma Choephel, speaker of the TPIE, as its chairman and Mr Tsering Dhondup, secretary of the Department of Religion as its secretary.

Members of this committee include Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, Ms Gyari Dolma, the deputy speaker of the TPIE, and Kalon Tsering Phuntsok, Kalon for the Department of Religion and Culture.