Dalai Lama arrives in New York on trip for medical treatment
NEW YORK– 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.
It is unclear whether the Dalai Lama, who Beijing sees as a dangerous separatist, will meet any U.S. officials during his trip. He says he is not seeking independence for Tibet.
