Tibetans in India celebrate as Dalai Lama turns 78

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July 6, 2013

The Dalai Lama's 78th birthday was celebrated by thousands of Tibetans who waved banners and danced, while schoolchildren sang prayers at a Tibetan university in southern India. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959.

July 6, 2013

The Dalai Lama's 78th birthday was celebrated by thousands of Tibetans who waved banners and danced, while schoolchildren sang prayers at a Tibetan university in southern India. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama speaks during an event organized to celebrate his 78th birthday at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Bylakuppe, about 220 kilometers (137 miles) southwest of Bangalore, India, Saturday, July 6, 2013.

Thousands of Tibetans waved banners and danced and schoolchildren sang prayers Saturday at a Tibetan university in southern India in celebration of the Dalai Lama's 78th birthday.

Speaking after an interfaith meeting, the Tibetans' spiritual leader called for love and compassion to promote world peace.

Turning to a Muslim priest, the Dalai Lama said the real meaning of jihad, or holy war, was "to combat our negative emotions."

"Jihad is not beating or killing (others)," he said.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959. Beijing accuses him of seeking to separate Tibet from China, but he says he wants only wide autonomy under Chinese rule.


Courtesy: AP