Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to travel to US for medical treatment

NEW DELHI: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama will be traveling to the United States for medical treatment, as announced by his office on Monday. The statement indicated that no engagements will be scheduled from June 20 onwards until further notice.

"Update to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Schedule - This is to inform all concerned that no engagements, including public audiences, will be scheduled from June 20 onwards until further notice. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to travel to the United States for medical treatment on his knees," the office of Dalai Lama said in a post on X.

"Upon his return to Dharamsala, regular engagements will resume," it added.

Earlier this year, in April, the 88-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader received the sacred Kapilavastu relics of Lord Buddha.

These relics were housed at the RajaGuru Sri Subuthi Waskaduwa Maha Viharaya, a Buddhist temple located in Sri Lanka.

The Kapilavastu relics are of great historical and spiritual importance, serving as a connection between devotees and the profound legacy of Lord Buddha.

In February, the Dalai Lama delivered a brief general teaching from the Jataka Tales at the Main Tibetan Temple, Tsuglagkhang, in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, on the occasion of Chotrul Duechen. The event was attended by over 3000 Tibetan followers, including Buddhist monks, nuns, and foreigners from various parts of the world.

Chotrul Duechen is the day of offerings and is celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month.

Chotrul Duechen, which translates to "Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations," is one of the four Buddhist festivals that commemorate significant events in the life of the Buddha.

Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here. Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171.