An Ode and a Dedication: For His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 88th Birthday

Today, as we celebrate the 88th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, I feel moved to share my reflections and aspirations, which have been profoundly molded by the life and teachings of this eminent spiritual and thought-leader.

For every Tibetan, His Holiness represents the embodiment of the moon and the sun – the guiding light that illuminates the path of righteousness. To the rest of the world, His Holiness is a beacon of hope for humanity. He is a force for good and a harbinger of compassion, peace, and wisdom.

Personally, His Holiness has been both my moral compass and my root guru. His unwavering commitment to the promotion of human values has been a wellspring of inspiration that has shaped the course of my life and the choices I made. I recall countless nights praying for the opportunity to be in a position where I could contribute, even if in the smallest way, to advancing the principles he holds dear.

With a head full of dreams and a heart full of gratitude, I ventured to the West to pursue doctoral studies after spending over a decade working as an activist and advocate for the Tibetan movement in exile India. My determination was steadfast – to contribute to the scholarship on the Dalai Lama, an area that I felt needed more voices and perspectives.

Today, it fills my heart with immeasurable joy and humility to share that I have authored a dissertation that explores the Dalai Lama’s discourse on human values, particularly during a critical moment in human history – the Covid-19 pandemic, set against the canvas of the existential threat of climate crisis. Through this scholarly pursuit, I present a unique communication perspective on the significant scientific and political conversations of our times. In doing so, my aspiration is to pave the way for interdisciplinary research that converges at the crossroads of human consciousness, communication, culture, digital mediation, and global environmental challenges.

This scholarly endeavor is more than an academic pursuit; it is a labor of love and dedication. My aspiration is for the theoretical, practical, and methodological implications of His Holiness’ rhetoric of human values to impact social change and address issues of human, climate, and planetary well-being. There is a long road ahead to transform this dissertation into a publicly accessible book and a multimedia project. The scale and scope of these aspirations can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially considering the adversities and challenges that life presents.

However, His Holiness’s enduring spirit and teachings empower me to remain steadfast and resolute in my conviction and commitment. On this auspicious day, as we celebrate his 88th birthday, I reaffirm my dedication to championing the fulfillment of his vision of a wiser, compassionate, and interconnected world.

Echoing the timeless words of Alfred Tennyson, I consider it my great fortune that since my formative years, it has been His Holiness the  Great 14th Dalai Lama who has emboldened my resolve  ‘To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield’.

In dedication and humility,

Dhardon Sharling

July 6, 2023