The Year of Compassion 6 July 2025 - 6 July 2026
What is the Year of Compassion?
On July 6, 2025 students, friends and supporters of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gathered around the world, as well as at Nalanda Monastery, to celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness. This also marked the start of the “Year of Compassion”, a year-long celebration of His Holiness’s many compassionate activities and qualities to inspire us to follow his example.
All merits accumulated during this Year of Compassion will be dedicated to the long and healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Buddha of Compassion.
"I’m 90 years old today. In addition to bodhichitta, I have also worked to cultivate concentration (shamatha) and special insight (vipashyana) as well as I could. I feel I have not wasted my life, and although I have the title of Dalai Lama, I’m not proud of myself. As a follower of the Buddha, a bhikshu or monk, serving other people and serving the teaching, these are my main practices." [...] "Many people have gathered here today, not out of any sense of obligation, but out of joy and respect. I appeal to you all to make bodhichitta and an understanding of emptiness your own practice—thank you."
Events organized at Nalanda Monastery
Nalanda Monastery started its participation in this year-long celebration with the celebration of His Holiness’ 90th birthday under the auspicious guidance of His Eminence Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek, the 74th abbot of Sera Jey Monastery.
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday – July 6
- His Eminence Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek’s visit and “Most Secret Hayagriva” initiation and commentary – June 28 to July 10
- “Most Secret Hayagriva” retreat led by Geshe Thubten Sonam – July 11 to July 28
Later, in August, Venerable René Feusi led a retreat on Calm Abiding – Shamatha, and Lamrim.
- Calm Abiding and Lamrim Retreat with Ven. René Feusi – August 15 to August 30
September was highlighted by the holding of the FPMT’s Planetary Crises event organized together with several other European centers.
- FPMT Planetary Crisis Summit 2025 – September 27 & 28
In October, Nalanda Monastery was happy to welcome a group of monks from Gyütö Tantric Monastery who built a Chenrezig Mandala and furthered interfaith dialogue by organizing a concert with our sisters and brothers from the Sufi order of Alâwiyya-Darqâwiyya-Shâdhiliyya, and brothers of the Saint-Benoît d’En Calcat Abbey.
- Chenrezig sand mandala, “Voices for Peace” and Tantric Chants of Tibet – October 7 to October 12
The Year of Compassion isn’t over yet and Nalanda Monastery has many future events planned to keep up with His Holiness’ sacred wish of promoting compassion and dialogue between all sentient beings.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a manifestation of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Compassion, as such the FPMT kindly provides everyone with the following resources to practice compassion : Chenrezig Practices and Mantras (fpmt.org).
For further information on the Year of Compassion :
