Dalai Lama a guiding light for humanity, says former Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling on 90th birthday

Former Chief Minister of Sikkim and President of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Pawan Chamling, paid rich tribute to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 90th birthday, calling him “a guiding light for humanity” and a source of spiritual inspiration whose message transcends borders and generations.

In a statement issued on July 6, Chamling said, “Today, I join the people of Sikkim and the global community in offering our deepest prayers, gratitude, and reverence to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.” He spoke about the spiritual leader’s global impact, praising him as “a spiritual teacher, a tireless advocate for peace, a champion of compassion, and a symbol of profound resilience.”

Chamling acknowledged the Dalai Lama’s transformative influence on the world and spoke about his own personal inspiration drawn from the Tibetan spiritual leader. “His words and actions have inspired generations to walk the path of nonviolence, to cultivate inner peace, and to extend kindness to all sentient beings. Personally, I have been deeply influenced by His Holiness’s life, and it is through his example that I believe I have come to learn about and appreciate the depth of Buddhist philosophy,” he said.

The five-time Chief Minister also highlighted the Dalai Lama’s strong connection with the state of Sikkim, recalling several occasions when the revered monk visited the Himalayan state and graced it with his spiritual presence. “Sikkim has been especially blessed by His Holiness’s presence on numerous occasions. He has graciously visited us and given his blessings during the inauguration of Samdruptse, the foundation-laying and opening of Buddha Park, the Kalachakra Puja, and many other sacred gatherings,” Chamling said.

During his tenure, Chamling spearheaded various cultural and spiritual projects that reflected Sikkim’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage. He said that many of these initiatives including the development of iconic landmarks like the 135-ft tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse and the majestic Buddha Park at Ravangla were inspired by the teachings and blessings of the Dalai Lama.

“These projects were not just monuments but manifestations of Sikkim’s collective spiritual identity and our commitment to peace and compassion. Inspired by His Holiness, I have found strength and direction to work in service of Sikkim and implement many such sacred projects,” Chamling added.

The former CM extended his gratitude to the Dalai Lama for maintaining a close spiritual and emotional connection with the Sikkimese people. He described the bond as enduring and meaningful, rooted in shared values of harmony, tolerance and respect for life.

“On this special day, we offer our sincere prayers for His Holiness’s long life, good health, and continued guidance to the world. May his timeless message of love, unity, and nonviolence continue to spread across the globe, and may it illuminate the path for generations to come,” Chamling said.