The Dalai Lama is celebrating today.

The spiritual leader of Tibet and former cover subject of Zoomer Magazine is celebrating turning 88 today.

The Dalai Lama is celebrating in the hillside town of Dharmsala, in India, his headquarters since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

India considers Tibet to be part of China, although it hosts Tibetan exiles.

The Dalai Lama denies being a Tibetan separatist, saying he only advocates for autonomy and the protection of Tibet’s native Buddhist culture.