Thousands of devotees flocked to the Indian town of Dharamshala on Sunday to celebrate the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who has been living in exile since escaping Chinese authority in 1959, stated he was mindful of his legacy today.

“When I look back on my life, I see that I have not wasted it at all,” the Dalai Lama said. “I live my life in the service of other sentient beings,” he added. 

Dressed in a traditional robe and a flowing yellow wrap, the Dalai Lama was escorted to the temple courtyard by a group of monks, as Tibetan artists beat drums and played bagpipes. At the same time, senior lamas struck cymbals in his honour.

Born Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama describes himself as a “simple Buddhist monk”. But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as the living manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion.

The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, raised its flag as the musicians played the Tibetan anthem. 

The birthday party capped a week of celebrations, during which the Dalai Lama announced that he planned to reincarnate after his death, putting an end to years of speculation that he might be the last person to occupy the position.

In accordance with existing Buddhist traditions, he added, the future Dalai Lama should be sought and recognised as the next reincarnation.

On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he hoped to live until the age of 130. In the past, the Dalai Lama has stated that his successor will be born in the “free world” — outside of China.

Many exiled Tibetans, however, fear China will name its own successor to the Dalai Lama to bolster control over Tibet, a territory it sent troops into in 1950 and has controlled ever since.

Beijing, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. It also says it will reject anyone chosen without China's consent.

Dignitaries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent their wishes to the Tibetan leader.

In his congratulations, Modi said the Dalai Lama has “been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline," while Rubio said the Buddhist spiritual leader “continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace, and compassion.”

The celebration was also attended by hundreds of followers from around the world, including actor Richard Gere.

"He is the most extraordinary man to ever walk on this planet," said Gere, as the crowd broke into rapturous applause.

In a birthday message on his website on Saturday, the Dalai Lama reiterated that he was “just a simple Buddhist monk” and that he will “continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values and religious harmony.”

Celebrations were also held in Nepal's Kathmandu, where hundreds of Tibetan refugees, monks, and others marked the day with Buddhist prayers, chanting and dances.