Search the Internet           Tips

Dalai Lama celebrates 50 years
as Tibetan head of state

Tibet's spiritual leader, living in exile since 1959, arrived at the main temple in Dharamsala early in the morning, escorted by a procession of monks wearing the yellow hats of his Gelugpa sect.

Inside the temple, top exiled lamas from the Gelugpa and other sects took part in solemn religious rituals and made offerings for the future well-being of the Dalai Lama.

A notable absentee was the Karmapa Lama, who arrived in Dharamsala in January last year after making a dramatic escape across the Himalayas from Lhasa.

Officials in the Tibetan government said the Karmapa was unwell, although other sources said he had been prevented from attending it by the Indian authorities, who felt his presence at such a high-profile celebration may antagonise Beijing.

The Dalai Lama was invested with full political power in 1950 at the tender age of 15, just days after Chinese troops moved into Tibet.

He fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule and set up his exiled government in Dharamsala.

Foreign official representation at Monday's celebrations was almost non-existent, reflecting the fact that after 40 years of globe-trotting and lobbying, the Dalai Lama remains the head of a government that enjoys international sympathy but no formal recognition.

A United States Congressional staff delegation comprised the most prominent overseas visitors.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to make an address, followed by a rare public press conference.

Tell us what you think of this report