Dalai Lama releases music album on 85th birthday, seeks prayers to live past 100
- The spiritual leader says in place of celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemic, followers can recite the Buddhist Mani Mantra at least 1,000 times
- He released his first album, Inner World, on which he recites mantras, meditations and teachings with accompanying music
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, turned 85 on Monday, with followers holding prayers for him to have a long life as well as organising global events online to dedicate to him a “Year of Gratitude”.
In a video message from his abode in India’s northern hill town of Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama said the celebrations were not necessary amid the coronavirus pandemic, but if his followers wanted, they could recite the Buddhist Mani Mantra at least 1,000 times.
“It will be beneficial. With that practice you will create some roots of virtue that you can dedicate for me – Avalokiteshvara’s messenger – to live for 108 or 110 years or so,” he said.
The Dalai Lama’s debut album Inner World – on which he recites mantras, meditations and teachings with accompanying music – was also released on Monday. It includes 11 tracks, including Compassions, one of the most famous Buddhist prayers.
The idea for the album came from a New Zealand bank worker, who passed a letter to the Dalai Lama’s assistants suggesting he do the project.