Dharamshala, 5 July

The Dalai Lama on Saturday put to rest rumours surrounding the announcement of his successor, saying he hopes to live for another 30-40 years more to serve people.

Speaking at the long life prayer ceremony ahead of his 90th birth anniversary on Sunday at Tsuglagkhang, the main Dalai Lama temple in McLeodganj, Tenzin Gyatso said that he has "clear signs and indications" that the blessings of the Avalokiteshvara are with him.

"Looking at the many prophecies, I feel I have blessings of the Avalokiteshvara. I have done my best so far. I hope to still live for 30-40 years more. Your prayers have borne fruit so far," the Tibetan spiritual leader said.

He added that ever since he was a child, he had the feeling that he had a strong connection with Avalokiteshvara.

"And I have been able to serve the Buddha dharma and the beings of Tibet so far quite well. And still I hope to live over 130 years," he said.

The Tibetan government-in-exile has organised a weeklong series of events to celebrate the birth anniversary of the 14th Dalai Lama here.

As part of the celebrations, a long life prayer ceremony was held at the main temple that was attended by over 15,000 people.

The temple was thronged by devotees, representatives of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism, senior lamas of various monasteries, according to Tenzin Lekshay, the spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The Dalai Lama said that though the Tibetans have lost their country and are living in exile in India, he has been able to "benefit beings quite a lot."

"Those living here in Dharamshala. I intend to benefit and serve beings as much as I can," he said.

He noted that Buddhist scriptures talk about people having different mental dispositions and inclinations, but despite that, everyone strives for happiness.

"Even those who have no religion or belief, they also strive to have happiness and avoid suffering. So all beings on this earth, even Tibetans, we don't want suffering, we want happiness. All of us are the same in that sense. So accordingly, we need to engage in the methods to bring about happiness for them and alleviate their sufferings," he said.

The rumours of an announcement of the Dalai Lama's successor have been making rounds since days ahead of his 90th birth anniversary, which have since been refuted in light of increased tension with China on the matter.

Penpa Tsering, the president of the Central Tibetan Administration, rejected such rumours by saying, "It doesn’t happen like that."

"Some are talking as if his holiness is going to die tomorrow or the day after or next year or something. He says he's going to live for another 20 years. So we have to understand the tradition. I think a lot of people came expecting this. His holiness might appoint somebody, or he might say that I'm going to be born in this place at that time. It doesn't happen like that," Tsering said.

The birth anniversary celebrations on Sunday will be attended by cabinet ministers Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, and Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Hollywood actor Richard Gere will attend the ceremony.