His Holiness Dalai Lama and Karmapa reunion in Switzerland
On June 28, 2024, His Holiness the Dalai Lama successfully underwent knee surgery at a hospital in New York, USA, and the operation went smoothly. In the two months following the surgery, His Holiness began rehabilitation therapy and has now regained the ability to walk independently. Doctors estimate that it will take six months to a year for him to make a full recovery. On August 23, His Holiness left the United States to return to India, passing through Switzerland and staying for a few days. Local Tibetans and believers held a grand Long-Life Prayer Ceremony for His Holiness.
On August 25, 2024, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Karmapa reunited in Switzerland. The deep relationship between His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Karmapa is like father and son. It is profoundly touching and gratifying.
Karmapa shared on his official Facebook page on August 28 that he recently met with the 14th Dalai Lama in Zurich, Switzerland, His Holiness’s photo and statement.
“Recently, when I had the good fortune to once again see His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Zurich, Switzerland, and hear his nectar-like voice, I felt a mixture of joy and sadness. It was different than when I usually see him in videos or the like. Seeing his face in person, he seemed to have aged significantly, and even hearing him speak, his voice has grown weak. It was so different from how he used to be that I could hardly bear it. His Holiness has used all the strength of his body, speech, and mind for our sake, and when I saw him so physically frail, it was as if the feelings of sorrow and gratitude that filled me were competing with each other.
Given his physical condition and seeming exhaustion, I did not say much but expressed how there is nothing greater that he could do for Buddhism and sentient beings than to live long. I wrote down the other matters I wished to share with him and offered them to him. He spent ten minutes reading them carefully and then spoke about the predictions that he would live to the age of 110, about how his main wish was to go on pilgrimage to Wutai Shan in China, and the importance of preserving, protecting, and spreading the complete teachings of the Foundation vehicle, Mahayana, and tantra, which are like a unique jewel found only in Tibet.
In brief, to see his face and hear his voice gave me a feeling of how rare and precious he is unlike any I have felt before. Moreover, we must accomplish all his wishes for what he would like to accomplish in this lifetime soon; there is no time for delay or distraction.
The difficulties His Holiness has undergone for our sake are beyond comprehension. Considering his current age and physical condition, there is nothing more important for him to do than to rest and take care of his health. All of us, myself and others, must definitely be conscious and heedful of this.
In particular, if His Holiness could return to Tibet in this lifetime and once again set foot on its soil, that alone would fulfill the hopes of all Tibetans, both the living and the departed, and fulfill the guru's wishes. Thus it is crucial for all of us Tibetan brothers and sisters to cooperate harmoniously in serving His Holiness to fulfill his wishes and, at the very least, to make aspirations and dedications day and night.
Regardless of the region we are from, the religion we follow, or the views or positions we hold, for the benefit of Tibet as a whole, we must do what is important and let go of what is minor it is important not to mistake gold for brass or to reduce sandalwood to ash before selling it.
Most importantly, I urge everyone to keep in mind that we have such a lama and wish-fulfilling jewel as him and to rouse even greater dedication toward working for the dharma and the welfare of the Tibetan people.
Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje August 28, 2024”
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**Given recent developments, the truth about the Karmapa incident is just around the corner!
