(TibetanReview.net, Jun29’24) – Tibetans, other devotees, and supporters across the world have greeted with elation the news of the Dalai Lama’s successful knee surgery on Jun 28 morning and his scheduled discharge from hospital the next day.
The Dalai Lama had a successful total knee replacement surgery at a top New York hospital and will be discharged Jun 29, reported the Tibetan service of rfa.org Jun 28.
Dr Tsetan Dorjee Sadutshang, the Dalai Lama’s allopathic personal physician, said Jun 28 in a Youtube posted statement that the exile Tibetan spiritual leader and 1989 Nobel peace laureate had an exceptionally successful surgery without any complication early Jun 28 morning and was due for discharge the next day. He said the surgery was carried out at the top hospital in the United States for such purpose.
Tibetans and well-wishers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama across the globe gathered at their local monasteries and community areas to recite the mantra of the Medicine Buddha for the successful medical treatment of His Holiness’ knee, said the Central Tibetan Administration on its Tibet.net website Jun 28.
At Tsuglakhang, the main Buddhist temple in Dharamshala, an interfaith prayer service was held with the participation of local Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist religious leaders.
Also, Tibetans across Tibet (Autonomous Region) had been offering prayers for his well-being ever since news of the Dalai Lama’s US visit reached people in various corners of the region “and in Tibetan-populated areas of China’s western provinces,” said the rfa.org report, citing Tibetan sources.
In Tibet’s capital Lhasa too, Tibetans offered prayers at the Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple and other places of worship on Jun 28, as China tightened security at religious sites amid news of widespread prayer by Tibetans inside Tibet for the Dalai Lama’s successful surgery, the report said.
The report noted that Tibetans worldwide took to social media to express their joy and gratitude following news of the Dalai Lama’s successful knee surgery.
It was earlier stated by Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the CTA that it was suggested that the Dalai Lama may be able to walk normally about three weeks after the surgery. And so, it remains unclear yet how long he will remain in the USA.
While knee surgery was stated to be his only reason for visiting the United States after a gap of seven years, speculations still abound whether he will meet with US leaders while there. President Joe Biden had vowed to meet with the exile Tibetan leader during his 2020 election campaign.