His Holiness the Dalai Lama cutting the cake during celebrations of his 83rd birthday at the Shiwatsel Teaching Ground in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 6, 2018. Photo by Tenzin Choejor.

H.H. the Dalai Lama has been supported by Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura for decades. Founder of the Gaia Holistic Foundation and a board member of both Orphans International Worldwide (OIW) and the J. Luce Foundation, Dr. Kazuko has been known as the most prominent non-Tibetan supporter of this project.

New York, N.Y. Every year on July 6th since His Holiness’ 80th birthday, New Yorkers have come together to celebrate H.H. the Dalai Lama Birthday Gala for World Peace through Compassion.

The event took place on Friday, July 6 at Marriott Essex House in Central Park South, New York City and was sponsored and organized by Gaia Holistic Foundation, The Tibet Fund, and Orphans International Worldwide.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and recipient of over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, and so on, as well as authoring more than 100 books, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk.

His Holiness has worked tirelessly in Tibet’s non-violent struggle for freedom and in promoting universal values of compassion, kindness, tolerance, and wisdom.

Founder and director of Gaia Holistic Foundation, Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura states:

Compassion means an understanding of others and all sentient beings. We celebrate with those who sympathize with this and wish peace for all. Through this caring for others, we can send out the energy of collective sympathy throughout the world.

In addition to Tibetan Monks prayer for H.H. the Dalai Lama’s long life, major religious groups prayed for the same meaning in their own words. Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist, Native Tribes, and Hindu practitioners were present.

This year’s “World Peace Through Compassion” awards were presented to Chief Arvol Looking Horse from Sioux Tribe of the Lakota Nation and Eric Ripert from Le Bernardin for their contributions to uplift humanity.

Chief Arvol was born on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota and is from Sioux Tribe of the Lakota Nation. At age twelve, he was given the enormous responsibility of becoming the 19th generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, the youngest in history.

His life has revolved around his commitment to work towards religious freedom, cultural survival, and revival. In1995, he met with H.H Dalai Lama to establish a relationship between Tibet and Lakota Nation.

He decided to “work for change and let the world know how beautiful our way of life is, so that the Seventh Generation can have a better life.”

In celebration of cultures, there were performances by former Tibetan Tipa musicians and dancers and Red Hawks Native Tribes.

Then to conclude the “World Peace through Compassion” celebration, over 150 guests with flags of all nations in hands send out caring energy to the people of each country.

Eric Ripert is co-owner of the acclaimed New York restaurant Le Bernardin and has been ardent support of H.H. the Dalia Lama and the Tibetan People. Eric served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of City Harvest, working to bring together New York’s Tops chefs and restaurateurs to raise funds and increase the quality and quantity of food donations to New Yorkers in need.

Eric is prolific, and with over million social media followers, has authored six best-selling books, hosted his own Emmy Award-nominated Tv show “Avec Erics,” and is a frequent guest judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and a regular guest on Anthony Bourdain’s incomparable “No Reservations” and “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.”

The 2018 Humanitarian Award was presented to broadcaster Rita Cosby who is also the Sr. Global Advisor of the J. Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org). Emmy Award-winning TV host, veteran correspondents and best-selling author who has dedicated her life to the Betterment of humanity. The U.S. Congress has recognized Rita for her professional and charitable achievement in support of children and veterans.

H.H. the Dalai Lama has been supported by Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura for decades. Founder of the Gaia Holistic Foundation and a board member of both Orphans International Worldwide (OIW) and the J. Luce Foundation, Dr. Kazuko has been known as the most prominent non-Tibetan supporter of this project.

H.H. The Dalai Lama’s 83rd Birthday Interfaith Celebration in NYC
(Originally published July 10, 2018)

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Eric Ripert receiving award by Lobsang Nyandak.
Photo by: Nan Melville.

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L to R : Dr.Kazuko Tatsumura-Hillyer, Lobsang Nyandak (President of  Tibet Fund), Jim Luce (Director and founder of Orphans International Worldwide Director). Photo by: François Bonneau.

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L to R: Lobsang Nyandak. Jim Luce, Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura, Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Native), Sahar Alsahlani (Islam), Ravi Vaidyanaat Sivachariar (Hindu), Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki (Buddhist), Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Dr. Dale T. Irvin. Photo by Nan Melville.

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L to R: Bix Luce (Orphans International Exec. Dir.), Tomaczek Bednarek, Rita Cosby, Jim Luce (J. Luce Foundation Founder & President), Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Dr. Kazuko Tatsumura Hillyer, Chloe Hoang (J. Luce Foundation Exec. Dir.). Photo: Nan Melville.

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Tibetan Performers. Photo by Nan Melville.

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150 people with flags of all nations in hands. Photo by François Bonneau.

About Gaia Holistic Foundation: Dr.Kazuko Tatsumura-Hillyer, Founder, Director and Philanthropist

Gaia Holistic, Inc. (http://www.gaiaholistic.com) strives for the betterment and the happiness of all sentient beings on this planet, constantly working toward dispelling of suffering through various programs building orphanages throughout the world including Manjushree in Himalayas & others and Holistic Medical therapy called Onnetsu Therapy, using unique patented method. Facebook.

About the Tibet Fund: Lobsang Nyandak, President

The Tibet Fund’s mission is to preserve the distinct cultural and national identity of the Tibetan people (www.tibetfund.org). They promote self-reliance and help sustain the cohesiveness of the exile community. In Tibet, their support is directed to orphanages, eye care and other health programs and educational projects that aid impoverished and marginalized Tibetans. Facebook.

About Orphans International Worldwide: Jim Luce, President and Founder

Them mission of Orphans International Worldwide, Inc. (www.OrphansInternational.org) has worked to support orphaned children in Africa, Asia, and the Americas since it’s founding in 1999, including Manjushree Orphanage for Tibetan Children in the Himalayan mountains of India. Facebook.

TAGS: Dalai Lama’s Birthday, Humanitarian Award, Orphans International Worldwide, slider, The J. Luce Foundation, Tibet Fund