Dalai Lama cancels U.S. visit: medical rest

CBSnews.com/news; Seth Auberon, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly

VIDEO: The Dalai Lama turns 80 in 2015

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - The Dalai Lama canceled his U.S. appearances for the month of October after doctors at Minnesota's Mayo Clinic advised him to rest, his office said Friday.

The 80-year-old Tibetan Buddhist leader was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester this week for what was described as a routine check-up.

• TAC: Visit "postponed until further notice"

"The doctors have advised His Holiness to rest for the next several weeks," his office said in a statement on its website Friday. "We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by this decision and apologize to all the people who have worked so hard in organizing the visit as well as to the public."

 

The statement gave no more details about the Dalai Lama's condition and representatives did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking additional comment.

The University of Colorado and the Tibetan Association of Colorado had announced earlier Friday that the Office of Tibet in Washington, D.C., informed them a planned visit would be canceled. The Dalai Lama had been scheduled to appear at the university October 20-21.

Besides the trip to the school in Boulder, Colorado, the Dalai Lama's schedule had listed appearances in Salt Lake City and Philadelphia next month.

Mayo Clinic, where the Dalai Lama has made regular visits in past years [and why not if he is a former CIA operative], on Thursday confirmed his most recent visit for evaluation but released no details, as is routine. Mayo spokeswoman Ginger Plumbo said Friday she had no further information to release and would not confirm whether he had left the clinic.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible," says the 14th Dalai Lama.

 

A secretary to the Dalai Lama, Chime Rigzin, told AP on Thursday that the Dalai Lama had been to the clinic and had had no health complaints. Rigzin told AP test results were fine and the Dalai Lama would soon be returning to [his Himalayan home in exile in] Dharamsala, India.

The Dalai Lama had been scheduled to make two appearances at the University of Colorado on Oct. 20 and 21. The first was an event open only to students, faculty, and staff, and the second appearance was a public teaching and talk on training the mind and compassion.

University of Colorado event planners were notified by the Office of Tibet about the cancellation Friday morning, university spokesman Ryan Huff said. The visit had been in the works for nearly two years.

"We're certainly saddened by this news, but we also hope the Dalai Lama's health improves very quickly and someday he may be able to come to campus," said Huff, who acknowledged that it would take a long time to plan another visit.

The Dalai Lama also was scheduled to receive an award from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Oct. 26. The center's president and CEO, Jeffrey Rosen, said officials are working with the Dalai Lama's office to see if a representative can accept the award in his absence.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dalai Lama as he recovers his strength," Rosen said.

Lobsang Tsering, president of the Utah Tibetan Association, said the Salt Lake City visit from Oct. 17-19 included an invitation to a world relations conference, a public talk at the University of Utah and a dedication of the new Tibetan Association Community Center.

Tsering said when he learned of the cancellation, "my heart dropped." But he said that for Tibetan people, "the most important thing is the well-being of His Holiness. And we all know he needed a rest." More

2015 Dalai Lama visit postponed

Tibetan Association of Colorado and CU-Boulder will co-host October visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

• For more event info: DalaiLamaColorado.com

The Tibetan Association of Colorado (TAC) and the University of Colorado Boulder are delighted to co-host a campus visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Oct. 20 and 21, 2015.
 

A schedule of events at CU-Boulder is still being finalized. The schedule and ticket information will be announced as they are finalized. Events will include an address by His Holiness to students, a teaching on the Eight Verses of Training the mind, and a public talk by His holiness. In addition, a multi-day Festival of Tibet featuring a Tibetan market, food, and performances of music and dance will be held for everyone’s added enjoyment. More

Karmapa Visits U.S.

Possible successor to Dalai Lama, 22 y.o. Karmapa, visits U.S.

Listen Now Robert Thurman (NPR) on Karmapa's visit [3 min. 58 sec.]

Morning Edition, May 27, 2008: The Karmapa, one of the most important leaders in Tibetan Buddhism, is visiting the United States. Some think the young lama will succeed the Dalai Lama as the next spokesman for Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet. Co-host Renee Montagne talks to Robert Thurman, professor of Buddhist studies at Columbia University, about the 22-year-old Karmapa.

Related NPR Stories

• April 14, 2008 A Conversation with the Dalai Lama
• Nov. 28, 2007 Dalai Lama Proposes a Vote for His Successor
• April 14, 2006 Tibetans Reject China's Panchen Lama
• Jan. 23, 2006 The Lessons of the Buddha
• Nov. 11, 2005 The Dalai Lama and Neuroscience
• Oct. 2, 2002 Dalai Lama's Status in Tibet Uncertain

World Bridges: 17th Kamapa speaks

Very Important Tibetan Lama To Visit USA
By Swaraaj Chauhan, International Columnist (April 9th, 2008, The Moderate Voice)

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is no ordinary Tibetan monk. His visit to the USA, the first outside his home in exile in India, can be considered historic. There are speculations that the Karmapa, a 22-year-old Buddhist monk, may emerge as the successor to the Dalai Lama in case the latter decides to step down, especially in view of the growing hostility shown towards him by Beijing in recent times. More importantly, the Karmapa is the only major monk reincarnate recognized by both the Dalai Lama and China.

According to a recent BBC report: “India has allowed the Tibetan monk, the Karmapa Lama, who fled China and sought asylum in India eight years ago, to travel to the United States next month. The Tibetan monk arrives in New York City on May 15, 2008 and then travels to Woodstock, New York; Boulder, Colorado; and Seattle, Washington, ending his US tour in the first week of June.”

The Karmapa website also provides the detailed schedule of his US trip. The website mentions the birth and early years of the 17th Karmapa: “Prior to the birth of the first Karmapa, the arrival of a Buddhist master who would be known as the Karmapa had been prophezied by the historic Buddha Shakyamuni and the great tantric master of India, Guru Padmasambhava. Throughout the centuries, Karmapas have been the central figure in the continuation of the Vajrayana [Lightning-vehicle] lineage in general and Kagyu lineage in particular, and have played a very important role in the preservation of the study and practice lineages of Buddhism.

“In 1985 a male infant was born into a nomad family in the Lhatok region of Eastern Tibet. In the months prior to his birth, his mother had wonderful dreams during her pregnancy. On the day of his birth, a cuckoo landed on the tent in which he was born, and a mysterious conch-like sound was heard by many throughout the valley in which the family of the infant lived. In Tibet, such events are considered auspicious portents of the birth of an enlightened teacher.” More here…

Although the BBC says that “the move is certain to enrage Beijing, which has put pressure on India to stamp out any political activity by Tibetan exiles,” I am not so sure. There is a flurry of diplomatic activity following dramatic protests wherever the Olympic flame passes through in the world…First there was a visit of Nancy Pelosi to meet the Dalai Lama in India…Then the US president spoke to his counterpart in China on the phone…And the well known stand of the French and German heads of state that they may boycott the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony…and so on.

China has not reacted so far although the news of the Karmapa’s visit has been in the air for some time now. The Karmapa’s US schedule does not in any way indicate that he would be doing much more than talking about Buddhism to the audience. But then this is no ordinary visit…and especially the timing of it…

At the abode of the Dalai Lama in India, the spokesman for the Central Tibetan administration said the Tibetan government in exile was “really appreciative” of India’s decision to allow the Karmapa visit. And with China maintaining a discreet silence, would the US (and others) be doing some behind-the-scenes work to bring about some improvement in Tibet…And for the Beijing Olympics to be held without too much protest?