Dalai Lama arrives in New York on trip for medical treatment

NEW YORK >> The Dalai Lama, the exiled religious chief of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in New York on Sunday forward of medical treatment for his knees and used to be greeted via masses of cheering and chanting supporters.

The 88-year-old waved from the open window of a limousine because it approached his Manhattan resort. He walked slowly to the doorway, supported via aides.

The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after a failed rebellion in opposition to Chinese rule in Tibet. The Nobel peace laureate has battled well being issues for years.

Some supporters arrived hours forward of time to ensure they might catch sight of a person 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,” mentioned 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 or not the Dalai Lama, who Beijing sees as a deadly separatist, will meet any U.S. officers all the way through his trip. He says he isn’t searching for independence for Tibet.

Supporters, many dressed in colourful gowns, danced in the streets out of doors the resort.

“We wish Dalai Lama long life. And we really wish Dalai Lama (would) visit China to say to the Tibetan community ‘Hi, hello’,” mentioned Byamba Suren, who left Virginia at 3 a.m. to power to New York.

A bunch of U.S. lawmakers met the Dalai Lama in India final week and mentioned they wouldn’t permit China to persuade the collection of his successor. They need to push Beijing to restart talks with Tibetan leaders, stalled since 2010.