According to reliable sources, on the early morning of June 19 this year, dressed in their best traditional attires, Tibetans of all age carried out a Sangsol (offering of incense) ceremony and put up green prayer flags in accordance with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s element of birth (as per Tibetan astronomy), in the Bharkhor, Lhasa. Similarly, on that very day, incidences of celebration were also reported in many Tibetan cultural areas, including areas outside TAR, such as Nagchu, Nyenchen Thangla, Kardze, Palbar, Chamdo, Dege, Kyegudo, Golog, Ngaba, Labrang, Bayan, Tawu and other areas reflecting a great sense of joy.A section of Tibetans believed that this event was held to celebrate the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Others contemplated the mass event as part of the Buddhist ritual to rid of obstructions and difficulties during His Holiness’ 73rd year, which is one of the “obstacle years”.Tibetans believe that at an interval of every twelve years in an individual's life, one is likely to experience loss, difficulty and suffering. Accordingly, each twelfth year is termed an ‘obstacle year’.Regardless of these different explanations, the extent to which the rituals were carried out and Tibetan across Tibet rejoiced transcending the three traditional provincial regions of Tibet; it seemed as if Losar (Tibetan New Year) was being celebrated. However, owing to highly restrictive atmosphere inside Tibet under the Communist Chinese rule, it proved difficult to reason out the precise nature of the mass celebration.Recently, in mid May this year, coinciding with the Buddhist holy month of Saka Dawa, a convoy of Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) forcibly demolished a nearly completed huge gold and copper plated statue of Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche at the Samye Monastery Dranang County, Lhoka Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region 'TAR' . Again earlier on March 3, which is a day of offerings [Tib: Choe-nga Choe-pa] for Tibetan Buddhists, the authorities placed high restriction prohibiting Tibetans from participating in mass Sangsol offerings.Reports also indicated of highly restrictive situation inside Tibet earlier during the full moon day of the Buddhist holy month (on May 31).June 19 is, however, customarily not an auspicious or a special day to the Tibetans. The unexpected sudden excitement in which Tibetans observed the day took the Chinese authorities by surprise.Lacking clear information about the incident and hence left with no option, the Chinese army stopped Tibetans heading for Bhumpa- Ri for Sangsol, at Kuru Bridge at around 5 or 6 in the morning. Elsewhere, the police guards at offices and schools ensured that Sangsol was not offered in respective inner-quads and that all staff were present in their quarters. Furthermore, additional guards were stationed at the gates of some offices and care was taken on placing constraints that no staff would take part in the episode.However, notwithstanding the restriction and pressure, Tibetans in Tibet, like in the on-going endeavour to fight the Chinese oppression; continue to use their intelligence and courage to formulate new methods against restraints placed on them, especially on special occasions like HH’s birthday. Recently, when the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and Tibetan communities in exile made large-scale long-life offerings [Tib: Tenshug] to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetans in Tibet again made efforts to offer Sangsol despite immense pressure from the Chinese government.Reflecting on the incident, it can be understood today that June 19 2007, coincides to be the 5th day of the 5th Tibetan Lunar month, which is believed, according to Tibetan customs, to be the actual day on which His Holiness the Dalai Lama was born in 1935.It can be understood that Tibetans in Tibet adopted a unique way of celebrating their exiled leader’s auspicious birthday without being disrupted by the local authorities. Elsewhere in exile, Tibetans will celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday today, 6th of July.
According to reliable sources, on the early morning of June 19 this year, dressed in their best traditional attires, Tibetans of all age carried out a Sangsol (offering of incense) ceremony and put up green prayer flags in accordance with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s element of birth (as per Tibetan astronomy), in the Bharkhor, Lhasa. Similarly, on that very day, incidences of celebration were also reported in many Tibetan cultural areas, including areas outside TAR, such as Nagchu, Nyenchen Thangla, Kardze, Palbar, Chamdo, Dege, Kyegudo, Golog, Ngaba, Labrang, Bayan, Tawu and other areas reflecting a great sense of joy.A section of Tibetans believed that this event was held to celebrate the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 
Others contemplated the mass event as part of the Buddhist ritual to rid of obstructions and difficulties during His Holiness’ 73rd year, which is one of the “obstacle years”.Tibetans believe that at an interval of every twelve years in an individual's life, one is likely to experience loss, difficulty and suffering. Accordingly, each twelfth year is termed an ‘obstacle year’.Regardless of these different explanations, the extent to which the rituals were carried out and Tibetan across Tibet rejoiced transcending the three traditional provincial regions of Tibet; it seemed as if Losar (Tibetan New Year) was being celebrated. However, owing to highly restrictive atmosphere inside Tibet under the Communist Chinese rule, it proved difficult to reason out the precise nature of the mass celebration.Recently, in mid May this year, coinciding with the Buddhist holy month of Saka Dawa, a convoy of Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) forcibly demolished a nearly completed huge gold and copper plated statue of Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche at the Samye Monastery Dranang County, Lhoka Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region 'TAR' . Again earlier on March 3, which is a day of offerings [Tib: Choe-nga Choe-pa] for Tibetan Buddhists, the authorities placed high restriction prohibiting Tibetans from participating in mass Sangsol offerings.Reports also indicated of highly restrictive situation inside Tibet earlier during the full moon day of the Buddhist holy month (on May 31).June 19 is, however, customarily not an auspicious or a special day to the Tibetans. The unexpected sudden excitement in which Tibetans observed the day took the Chinese authorities by surprise.Lacking clear information about the incident and hence left with no option, the Chinese army stopped Tibetans heading for Bhumpa- Ri for Sangsol, at Kuru Bridge at around 5 or 6 in the morning. Elsewhere, the police guards at offices and schools ensured that Sangsol was not offered in respective inner-quads and that all staff were present in their quarters. Furthermore, additional guards were stationed at the gates of some offices and care was taken on placing constraints that no staff would take part in the episode.However, notwithstanding the restriction and pressure, Tibetans in Tibet, like in the on-going endeavour to fight the Chinese oppression; continue to use their intelligence and courage to formulate new methods against restraints placed on them, especially on special occasions like HH’s birthday. Recently, when the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and Tibetan communities in exile made large-scale long-life offerings [Tib: Tenshug] to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetans in Tibet again made efforts to offer Sangsol despite immense pressure from the Chinese government.Reflecting on the incident, it can be understood today that June 19 2007, coincides to be the 5th day of the 5th Tibetan Lunar month, which is believed, according to Tibetan customs, to be the actual day on which His Holiness the Dalai Lama was born in 1935.It can be understood that Tibetans in Tibet adopted a unique way of celebrating their exiled leader’s auspicious birthday without being disrupted by the local authorities. Elsewhere in exile, Tibetans will celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday today, 6th of July.
