The Dalai Lama reflects on his life in exile after recovering from surgery in New York

His Holiness the Dalai Lama completed six weeks of convalescence this week after undergoing knee surgery in the United States in June. An announcement published yesterday on his official website indicated that His Holiness had left Syracuse, where he was convalescing, for New York.

The Dalai Lama underwent successful knee replacement surgery in New York on June 28. After his release from the hospital, he spent time in upstate New York recovering and rehabilitating. This is the Dalai Lama's first visit to the United States since 2017.

In a public statement, the head of the adult joint reconstruction and replacement service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Dr. David Mayman, MD, said that His Holiness' condition is expected to continue to improve over the next 6 to 12 months.

While convalescing at the Nappi Farm in Syracuse, His Holiness received intensive physiotherapy to ensure a good recovery, Tuesday's announcement said, adding:

His Holiness would like to express his gratitude to his friends Sam and Carol Nappi for their exceptional hospitality and for coordinating the arrangements that enabled His Holiness the Dalai Lama to successfully undergo knee replacement surgery in New York. We are also deeply grateful for their efforts to bring together the physical therapy team and physicians at Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Physicians and staff at New York Hospital for Special Surgery and Upstate Medical University in Syracuse provided exemplary medical care and unwavering support throughout the process. (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

Members of the Tibetan community in North America are to pray for the Tibetan spiritual leader's long life Thursday at UBS Arena in New York. The Dalai Lama then plans to return to his residence in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, northern India, on August 28, after a brief stopover in Zurich, where the Tibetan community will offer a long-life prayer for His Holiness at the Hallenstadion on August 25.

On August 16, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate made his first public appearance since sharing a video message on his 89th birthday in early July, making a brief visit to Ithaca, New York, to dedicate the library and the His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama Learning Center (HHDL LLC).

During his visit to LLC HHDL, His Holiness shared some thoughts on his life in exile, expressing gratitude that his hardships gave him the opportunity to raise awareness about Tibet and Buddhist teachings around the world.

“If I had not been a refugee, I might be sitting on a high throne in Lhasa, Tibet,” the Dalai Lama told an audience of more than 100 Tibetans and other supporters gathered at the library. “By going into exile, I had the opportunity to travel around the world to explain the essence of Buddhism to a wider audience, establishing a human-to-human connection that proved beneficial and making connections with many people around the world.

“Today, people around the world feel a deep sense of closeness and unity with Tibet and Tibetans,” he added. (FR)

His Holiness also highlighted his commitment to serving the Tibetan people and preserving Tibet's religious and cultural heritage, as well as sharing the wisdom of Buddha Shakyamuni.

“I was born in Amdo and I have always had good relationships with people since my childhood. And now, even as I get older, I have established relationships with people all over the world,” the Dalai Lama said. “As part of the concept of the unity of humanity, I received compassion and care from others. Wherever I go in the three provinces of Tibet, I never waver in my belief in our common humanity. » (FRG)

Opened in September 2023, the HHDL LLC houses a definitive library of the written works of the current Dalai Lama, as well as those of all previous Dalai Lamas. There is also a digital archive of 40 hours of teachings from the 000th Dalai Lama and some 14 books containing translations of ancient texts from the Kangaroo (collected teachings of the Buddha) and the Tengyur (the translated commentaries on the teachings of the Buddha by the great Indian Buddhist masters and scholars), as well as numerous Buddhist objects from India and Tibet.

Dalai Lama arrives in New York for knee treatment (BDG)

Dalai Lama shares message of gratitude as well-wishers around the world celebrate his 89th birthday (BDG)

Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center Opens in Upstate New York (BDG)

See more

His Holiness the Dalai Lama leaves upstate New York (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Dalai Lama talks about life in exile in first speech since surgery (RFA)
His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center

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