Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday, Open Tibetan Dinner Invitation For All In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The public is invited to join a special celebration honoring His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's 90th birthday on Sunday, July 6 at 6 p.m. at Bridge Hall, Neighborhood Congregational Church, located at 340 St. Ann's Drive, Laguna Beach.

This milestone celebration, organized by a team of volunteers, will feature a traditional Tibetan-Indian dinner, with a suggested donation of $30. It will bring together community members to honor the life and teachings of one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders.

The evening will include inspiring presentations by local nonprofit organizations, Walking for Water/Wisdom Spring and the Phen-day Foundation, as well as remarks by Professor Tenzin Dorjee, Columbia University lecturer and a writer and activist. The Phen-Dey works to preserve and promote Tibetan culture. Walking for Water/Wisdom Spring is a U.S. nonprofit that carries out water and education projects in Africa and India through teen fundraising clubs in Laguna Beach and Leesburg and Loudon County, Virginia.

"His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935, has dedicated his life to promoting peace, compassion, and understanding across cultures and faiths," a spokesperson said. "After fleeing Tibet in 1959 during the Tibetan uprising, he established his residence in Dharamshala, India, which has since become known as 'Little Lhasa' and serves as the
headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. From this mountain sanctuary in northern India, His Holiness has continued to lead spiritually and advocate for Tibetan autonomy, while sharing Buddhist teachings with the world.

About the Visiting Monks from Dharamsala
In connection with this birthday celebration, two monks from Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala will visit Laguna Beach from July 7-12, creating a four-foot circular sand mandala dedicated to compassion. The monks will bring their sacred traditions and wisdom directly from the Dalai Lama's spiritual home, beginning with an opening ceremony on Monday, July 7 at 10 a.m. in Bridge Hall, Neighborhood Congregational Church.

The public is invited to witness this ancient art form during daily viewing hours from July 8-11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. House and business blessing ceremonies can be scheduled by emailing tendor06@hotmail.com or calling 530-407-2211.

The week will culminate with a morning mandala dissolution ceremony (at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, followed by an evening closing celebration at 6 p.m. featuring traditional chanting and a dinner prepared by the monks (suggested donation $30).

A mandala dissolution ceremony is the ritualistic dismantling of the complex, colorful sand artwork to symbolize the impermanence of all things. The process involves carefully sweeping the sand into a pile and then dispersing it, often into a body of water (in this case the Pacific Ocean), to spread the mandala's blessings.

This community gathering provides an opportunity to reflect on his profound contributions to global harmony and wisdom.

Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday Celebration - Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, July 6
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Bridge Hall, Neighborhood Congregational Church
• Address: 340 St. Ann's Drive, Laguna Beach
• Suggested donation: $30 (includes Tibetan-Indian dinner)
• RSVP Required: tendor06@hotmail.com or 530-407-2211

Seats are limited; please reserve in advance. All members of the community are welcome to attend this meaningful celebration.

• Dates/times: Opening Ceremony Monday, July 7 at 10 a.m.
• Location: Bridge Hall, Neighborhood Congregational Church
• Address: 340 St. Ann's Drive, Laguna Beach
• Daily viewing hours of sand mandala creation: July 8-11 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sand Mandala Dissolution Ceremony: July 12 at 10 a.m.
• Chanting, presentation, dinner by monks: July 12 at 6 p.m.
• Suggested donation for dinner event: $30
• RSVP and information: tendor06@hotmail.com or 530-407-2211For more information, please call Tenpa Dorjee at Tibetan Handicrafts in the Laguna Lumberyard Mall, 384 Forest Avenue, (530) 407-2211‬ or email tendor06@hotmail.com.