His Holiness the Dalai Lama this week concluded six weeks of convalescence after undergoing knee surgery in the United States in June. An announcement on his official website yesterday stated that His Holiness had departed for New York City from Syracuse, where he had been recuperating.
The Dalai Lama successfully underwent knee-replacement surgery in New York City on 28 June.1 After being discharged from hospital he had spent time in upstate New York for recuperation and rehabilitation. This is the Dalai Lama’s first visit to the US since 2017.
In a public statement, the chief of the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, Dr. David Mayman, MD, said that His Holiness was expected to continue improving over the next 6–12 months.
While convalescing at Nappi Farmhouse in Syracuse, His Holiness received intensive physiotherapy to ensure that his recovery went smoothly, Tuesday’s announcement noted, 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 ensured the successful knee replacement surgery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New York. We are also deeply thankful for their efforts in assembling the physical therapy team and physicians at Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, New York. The doctors and staff at both the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York 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 of North America are scheduled to offer a prayer for the long life of the Tibetan spiritual leader at the UBS Arena in New York City on Thursday. Subsequently, the Dalai Lama plans to return to his residence in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, northern India, on 28 August, after a brief stopover in Zurich, where the Tibetan community will offer a long-life prayer for His Holiness at the Hallenstadion venue on 25 August.
On 16 August, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate made his first public appearance since sharing a video message for his 89th birthday in early July,2 paying a brief visit to Ithaca, New York, to consecrate the His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center (HHDL LLC).3
While at the HHDL LLC, His Holiness shared some reflections on his life in exile, expressing gratitude that his hardships had given him the opportunity to raise awareness about Tibet and the Buddhist teachings around the world.
“If I had not been a refugee, I may be sitting on a high throne in Lhasa, Tibet,” the Dalai Lama told an audience of more than 100 Tibetans and other well-wishers gathered at the library. “By coming into exile, I had an opportunity to travel around the world explaining the essence of Buddhism to a wider audience, building a human-to-human connection that has proved to be beneficial and connecting with many people globally.
“People around the world today feel a deep sense of closeness and unity with Tibet and Tibetans,” he added. (RFA)
His Holiness also underscored his commitment to serving the Tibetan people and preserving the religious and cultural heritage of Tibet, and with sharing the wisdom of Shakyamuni Buddha.
“I was born in Amdo and have had good relationships with people since my childhood. And now, even as I am aging, I have built relationships with people from all over the world,” the Dalai Lama said. “Under the concept of oneness of humanity, I have received compassion and care from others. No matter where I go in the three provinces of Tibet, I never waver in my belief in our shared humanity.” (RFA)
Inaugurated in September 2023, The HHDL LLC houses a definitive library of the present Dalai Lama’s written works, as well as those of all previous Dalai Lamas. Also housed within is a digital archive of 40,000 hours of the 14th Dalai Lama’s teachings, and some 4,000 books containing translations of ancient texts from the Kangyur (collected teachings of the Buddha) and the Tengyur (the translated commentaries on the Buddha’s teachings by the great Indian Buddhist masters and scholars), along with numerous Buddhist artifacts from India and Tibet.3
1 Dalai Lama Arrives in New York for Knee Treatment (BDG)
2 Dalai Lama Shares Message of Gratitude as Well-Wishers around the World Celebrate His 89th Birthday (BDG)
3 Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center Inaugurated in Upstate New York (BDG)
See more
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Departs 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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Dalai Lama Arrives in New York for Knee Treatment
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Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center Inaugurated in Upstate New York
