Res 0937-2025

Whereas, Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lamas are manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet-enlightened beings who have chosen rebirth to serve humanity as the spiritual and, historically, the political leaders of Tibet and the Tibetan people; and Whereas, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the incumbent Dalai Lama and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism; and Whereas, After being recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two, His Holiness began his monastic education at the age of six, studying Buddhist philosophy, including Prajnaparamita (the perfection of wisdom); Madhyamika (the philosophy of the middle way); Vinaya (the canon of monastic discipline); Abidharma (metaphysics); and Pramana (logic and epistemology); and Whereas, Following the invasion of Tibet by the People's Republic of China in 1950, the Dalai Lama assumed political leadership at the age of 15, and after the 1959 Tibetan uprising, fled to India, where he has lived in exile ever since; and Whereas, In exile, the Dalai Lama established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, and became both the highest-profile global advocate for Tibet and a highly respected religious and moral leader; and Whereas, His Holiness has traveled to more than 67 countries, advancing dialogue, understanding, and compassion among people of all faiths and backgrounds, and has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, and prizes in recognition of his contributions to peace and interreligious harmony; and Whereas, In 1989, His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for advocating peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people"; and Whereas, Building on his lifelong work toward peaceful solutions, the Dalai Lama has championed a nonviolent resolution to the Tibetan struggle for freedom through dialogue and mutual understanding; and Whereas, Throughout his life, His Holiness has emphasized the cultivation of compassion, empathy, and altruism as foundation principles not only within Buddhism but also as universal values applicable to all humanity, regardless of faith or nationality; and Whereas, The Dalai Lama has championed a global "secular ethics" movement, encouraging the development of inner peace, emotional resilience, and ethical behavior grounded in shared human values, and promoting scientific study of compassion and emotional well-being; and Whereas, As of 2023, His Holiness has visited New York City ("City") at least nine times, meeting with mayors, addressing tens of thousands in public teachings and peace meditations, receiving the Key to the City in 2005, and strengthening the City's connection to the Tibetan people and their enduring traditions; and Whereas, In 2025, the City Council passed Local Law 12, which suspends alternate side parking regulations on Losar, the Tibetan New Year, in recognition of the growing Tibetan-American and Himalayan Buddhist community in NYC; and Whereas, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will celebrate his 90th birthday on July 6, 2025; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York designates July 6 annually as His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet Day in the City of New York in recognition of his lifelong dedication to peace, compassion, and nonviolence. CGR LS #19543 5/21/2025 3:59 PM