In yet another holy event, the revered Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has suggested that his lifespan may extend up to 110 years, as indicated by his dreams. He made these remarks during a long-life prayer event organized by the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association, held at the Shewatsel teaching ground in Leh.

“In my dreams, I’ve seen signs that indicate that I may be able to live to be about 110 years old. When you look at me now, do I look like I’m in my eighties? Don’t I look younger than that?” remarked His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He emphasized the influence of collective faith and devotion in prolonging the Lama’s life. In addition to his teachings, he has had the chance to engage with the public and serve all sentient beings, he said, pledging to continue doing so.

Speaking of his spiritual connection, he said, “I have a spiritual bond with the people of the Land of Snow and they have unwavering faith in me, as do the people of the Himalayan Region. What’s more, people around the world, whether they are Buddhists or not, have expressed admiration for what I’ve done.”

An extensive mandala offering was led by Taktsak Kundeling Rinpoché, and the organizers specifically asked His Holiness to have a long life. A plethora of symbolic offerings followed, including a Buddha statue, a scripture, a chörten, a set of robes, a fruit-filled alms bowl, a monk’s staff, representations of the seven symbols of royalty, the eight auspicious symbols, and the eight auspicious substances.

The long-life ceremony was steeped in the Sutra tradition and was founded on Prayers to the Sixteen Arhats. As the ‘Song of Immortality – an Extensive Prayer for the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ was chanted, the attendees, consisting of locals of all ages, participated in a procession, carrying offerings ranging from scriptures to bags of grain and carved tables. The procession concluded auspiciously with the Indian, Tibetan, and Buddhist flags proudly displayed.