The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in New York on Sunday ahead of medical treatment for his knees and was greeted by hundreds of cheering and chanting supporters.
The 88-year-old waved from the open window of a limousine as it approached his Manhattan hotel. He walked slowly to the entrance, supported by aides.
The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.
The Nobel peace laureate has battled health problems for years.
Some supporters arrived hours ahead of time to make sure they could catch a sight of a man making his first trip to the United States since 2017.
“I knew I had to come here for this once in a lifetime opportunity. And I think waiting outside for the past four or five hours is definitely worth it,” said Tenzin Kunkyi.
“There is a strong sense of community when you’re here, everyone’s passing around bread … along with getting a blessing from seeing His Holiness, we also strengthen our Tibetan bond here outside,” she added.
It is unclear whether the Dalai Lama, who Beijing sees as a dangerous separatist, will meet any US officials during his trip. He says he is not seeking independence for Tibet.
Supporters, many dressed in colorful robes, danced in the streets outside the hotel.
“We wish Dalai Lama long life. And we really wish Dalai Lama (would) visit China to say to the Tibetan community ‘Hi, hello’,” said Byamba Suren, who left Virginia at 3 a.m. to drive to New York.
A group of US lawmakers met the Dalai Lama in India last week and said they would not allow China to influence the choice of his successor.
They want to push Beijing to restart talks with Tibetan leaders, stalled since 2010.
Israel’s war on Gaza has been raging for more than a year, killing 42,500 people, reducing much of the enclave… Read More
Mehdi Hasan goes Head to Head with Matthew Goodwin on the UK riots, immigration and the ‘new woke elite’.In the… Read More
“A new wind is blowing in Europe,” said the Dutch anti-Islam, anti-immigration populist Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders in Brussels… Read More
Damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated to be more than $100bn.Two powerful hurricanes have devastated properties and… Read More
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held an emergency meeting to discuss increased U.S. pressure to ramp up aid into… Read More
More than 150 people, including children, were killed and dozens of others wounded after an overturned fuel tanker exploded in… Read More
This website uses cookies.