The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in New York on Sunday before receiving medical treatment for his knee, and was greeted by hundreds of cheering and cheering supporters.
The 88-year-old waved out the open window of a limousine as it approached his hotel in Manhattan. He walked slowly to the entrance, supported by his assistants.
The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has suffered from health problems for years.
Some supporters arrived hours early to make sure they could see a man make his first trip to the United States since 2017.
“I knew I had to come here for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think waiting outside for the last four or five hours is definitely worth it,” Tenzin Konkei said.
“There is a strong sense of community when you are here, and everyone passes bread… Besides getting blessings from seeing His Holiness, we are also strengthening our Tibetan connections here abroad,” she added.
It is unclear whether the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing considers a dangerous separatist, will meet any US officials during his trip. He says he does not seek independence for Tibet.
Supporters, many wearing colorful abayas, danced in the streets outside the hotel.
“We wish the Dalai Lama a long life. We really hope the Dalai Lama will visit China to say ‘hello, hello’ to the Tibetan community,” said Byamba Soren, who left Virginia at 3 a.m. to drive to New York.
A group of US lawmakers met with 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 resume talks with Tibetan leaders, which have been stalled since 2010.
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