Dalai Lama Arrives in Zurich, Heads to US for Knee Surgery

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, arrived in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday. He was warmly welcomed with traditional Tibetan ceremonies at his hotel. Many well-wishers and guests gathered to greet him, and he even met an old friend in the hotel lobby.

Thousands of Tibetans and supporters lined the streets with bouquets, eagerly waiting to see the Dalai Lama. Tibetan artists performed traditional songs and dances to celebrate his arrival.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to leave for the United States on June 23 for knee surgery. He had previously left Dharamshala for Delhi on Friday, where many Tibetans gathered at Kangra Airport to wish him well. Hundreds of devotees also lined the streets to pay their respects.

Leaders from the Central Tibetan Administration, including Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering, gathered at the Dalai Lama’s official residence to see him off.

Earlier in the week, a bipartisan US Congressional delegation led by Congressman Michael McCaul met with the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, part of the delegation, reaffirmed Congressional support for Tibet and criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping. She praised the Dalai Lama’s enduring legacy and compassionate message.

The delegation included US Representatives Gregory Meeks, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Ami Bera, and Jim McGovern. Their visit followed the US Congress passing a bill urging Beijing to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leaders to resolve their disputes peacefully. The bill now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature to become law.