Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said on Monday his health was in fine shape and he wanted a long life to be able to render his services. “Even today, I am very healthy, my mind is extremely sharp and I pray to live for more than hundred years to continue my service,” he said while speaking at the Long Life prayers organised by Central Tibetan Administration, Namgyal Monastery and Shelkhar Ngashap.

Similarly, he added, “all of you should collectively pray”.

He said at such a critical juncture in our history, he thought he had done a considerable service to the Tibetan cause and people.

“There are millions of Tibetans in Tibet who have expressed unwavering faith and prayers for my health and long life. I accept this offering as being made on their behalf,” he added.

He requested all the protector deities related to Gaden Phodrang to be invoked to take part in the prayer offering for his long life.

“With their participation, today’s prayer offering will be symbolised as a collective prayer from both the people and the protector oracles of the land of snow. I am given the title as the Crowning Jewel of Gods and Others, hence it is most appropriate that the oracles and humans jointly make this offering,” he added.

He mentioned that the oracles, particularly the Nechug Dorje Drak, share a unique spiritual connection with the lineage of Dalai Lamas.

“They have existed for a long time to serve the flourishing of Tibetan Buddha dharma, the happiness of sentient beings and most importantly for the happiness of the people of Tibet. Therefore, it is the common responsibility of the humans and the oracles to work for the Tibetan cause,” Dalai Lama added.

Elaborate ceremonial offerings were presented to Dalai Lama and representing the collective aspirations of six million Tibetans and their fervent prayers for his long life, CTA made an offering of 113 statues of Buddha.

The offering is an auspicious symbol of Dalai Lama’s long life.

The president of Central Tibetan Administration, Heads of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy which include the Kashag, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, heads of the Autonomous bodies and all the CTA Offices were represented at the Tenshug ceremony.