Central Tibetan Administration Holds Official Ceremony Marking 86th Anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Enthronement on the Golden Throne at the Potala PalaceDharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), on the morning of 22 February 2026, held an official ceremony commemorating the 86th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on the Golden Throne at the Potala Palace, marking the day in 1939 when he formally assumed both temporal and spiritual leadership of Tibet.The ceremony was attended by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and former Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, as the Chief Guest. Also present on the occassion Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche. Joined by the guest of honour included Adrian Michael A. Amatong and Rufus B. Rodriguez from the Philippines’ House of Representatives, along with representatives of various faiths and communities in India.The official ceremony commenced after 10:15 am with the offering of Mendrel Tensum — a symbolic auspicious offering representing the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha — presented by the Supreme Justice Commissioner, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and the Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration.Members of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts led the rendition of the Tibetan National Anthem as the Sikyong hoisted the Tibetan national flag and Kailash Satyarthi hoisted the Indian national flag at the courtyard of Thekchen Choeling Tsuglakhang.During the ceremony, Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered the Kashag’s statement for the occasion. This was followed by an address from former Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, addressed the gathering in Hindi as Chief Guest, reflecting on the historical significance of His Holiness’s enthronement and his enduring contributions to peace, compassion, and the Tibetan cause.He stated that the enthronement marked a historic turning point not only for Tibet but also for the wider world, adding that despite immense challenges, His Holiness’s compassionate leadership has enabled Tibetans to preserve their cultural and religious identity and share it globally.Expressing gratitude to His Holiness, he highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony and environmental protection — causes closely associated with His Holiness’s lifelong work — while cautioning that religion, when reduced to ritual or bound to ego and identity, can become a source of division.Guest of Honour Adrian Michael A. Amatong, Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, paid tribute to His Holiness on the anniversary of his enthronement, describing it as the beginning of a lifetime devoted to compassion, peace, and the dignity of the Tibetan people.Drawing parallels with the Philippines’ own historical experiences, he emphasised that the strength of a people lies in the resilience of their spirit, culture, and hope for the future, and expressed solidarity with the Tibetan people.In his address, Guest of Honour Rufus B. Rodriguez also expressed appreciation for the invitation to attend the 86th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Recalling the historical events of 1959, he noted, “His Holiness fled Lhasa in March 1959 amid a popular uprising against Chinese rule and subsequently established the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala.”He further described His Holiness’s leadership to Tibetans and a strong advocate of interfaith dialogue and global harmony, noting that His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition of his unwavering commitment to nonviolence and compassion. As a representative of the Philippines, he also expressed pride that his country conferred upon His Holiness the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1959, an honour that remains widely respected among the Filipino people.Concluding his remarks, he described His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as “a beacon of light for freedom and compassion in the world.”Following this, additional remarks were presented by representatives of various faiths and communities in India — including Shri Ajay Kumar Sharma, Muhammad Kamil Jamie, Rev. Victor Khojee and Sarbjeet Singh — subsequently addressed the gathering at the official ceremony commemorating the 86th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, expressing their solidarity and paying tribute to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.In his keynote address, Chief Guest Kailash Satyarthi described the 86th anniversary as “a journey of 86 years that has cut through darkness and moved toward light,” noting that His Holiness has continued to carry that light for humanity since his enthronement. Emphasising the global nature of support for His Holiness, he stated that the journey is sustained not only by Tibetans but by people of diverse faiths and communities worldwide.Reflecting on the early life of His Holiness, he observed that a child from an ordinary family was placed on the Golden Throne at the age of four, but stressed that the greatness associated with that seat came from the person, not the position. He explained that the brilliance seen later “did not come from the throne itself but from within him — his wisdom, spiritual strength, and inner radiance,” adding that the throne itself became extraordinary because the Dalai Lama sat upon it.Kailash Satyarthi further asserted that no government or political authority, regardless of power or wealth, possesses the moral legitimacy to appoint a Dalai Lama in place of His Holiness now or in the future. Describing the institution as a unique spiritual tradition, he stated that the recognition of the next Dalai Lama rests solely within the established religious process and the guidance of His Holiness. “Even if he lives to 110 years, the next Dalai Lama will be the one chosen according to this tradition — no one else can decide that,” he said.Following, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivered the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile statement for the occasion.The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Tsering Dhondup, Vice Chair of the Central Ghoton Organising Committee and Secretary of the Department of Finance, CTA.The CTA leadership—including Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Tibetan Justice Commissioners Dawa Phunkyi and Phagpa Tsering, Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra (Department of Education), Kalon Dolma Gyari (Department of Security), Kalon Norzin Dolma (Department of Information and International Relations), Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, Chief Election Commissioer Lobsang Yeshi, members of the Tibetan Parliament Standing Committee, secretaries of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA, and representatives of Tibetan NGOs—attended the event.