IBC to Celebrate Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday with Global Event in New Delhi

New Delhi, June 27, 2025 — The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will host a significant event on Sunday, July 13, at the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi to mark the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, honouring his profound influence, spiritual leadership, and enduring contributions to global peace and compassion.

The full-day event is set to draw an array of international scholars, Buddhist leaders, and experts with long-standing ties to the Dalai Lama, underscoring the global resonance of his teachings and humanitarian efforts.

Among the key highlights will be panel discussions exploring critical themes that reflect the Dalai Lama’s core philosophies. Sessions will cover topics such as “Relevance of Buddha Dharma in the 21st Century” and “The Future of Tibetan Buddhism and the Preservation of its Culture.”

A standout feature of the program will be a session titled “Quantum Physics, Neurosciences and Buddhism,” delving into the intersections between modern scientific inquiry and traditional Buddhist philosophy—a subject the Dalai Lama has championed in dialogues around science and spirituality.

The event will culminate in the adoption of a special declaration on “Karuna & Its Relevance in Conflict Avoidance,” emphasizing compassion as a vital principle for resolving contemporary global crises.

Distinguished speakers scheduled to participate include Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, eminent scholar and former Prime Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration; Richard Davidson, renowned American psychologist and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Most Ven. Phrarat Vajarasuttiwong from Thailand.

Other prominent figures expected at the celebration are Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi from Emory University; Prof. Ceon Ramon from the University of Washington; Buddhist scholar Alex Berzin; Edi Ramawijaya Putra, Rector of Sriwijaya State Buddhist College in Indonesia; Ven. Nicholas Vreeland, former Abbot of Rato Monastery and the subject of the documentary Monk with a Camera; Kate Saunders, former head of the International Campaign for Tibet; and Claude Arpi, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence in Delhi.

The gathering aims not only to pay tribute to the Dalai Lama’s legacy but also to spark dialogue on the future of Buddhism and its role in fostering global harmony.