By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, APR. 14: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s trip to North India next month has been “indefinitely postponed”. The scheduled trip in May to Kullu-Manali, Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur will not be taking place on the previously set date, the private office of the Dalai Lama announced yesterday.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s upcoming visit to Kullu-Manali, Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur scheduled from May 11 to 25, 2017 has been indefinitely postponed. We regret the inconvenience caused by this decision,” the short announcement read. The notice has not given any reason for the same.
The Tibetan leader returned to his exile home of Dharamshala here on Wednesday from North-East India (Apr. 12) completing a day tour.
His 12 day schedule saw the Tibetan leader visit Assam and also reach remote areas in the border state of Arunachal Pradesh’s Dirang, Bomdila and Tawang giving teachings and public talks.
He told reporters that he is healthy and the issue surrounding his reincarnation can wait. During interaction with the press, he took off his glasses and jokingly told the reporters, “Look at my face. Do you think this talk of my reincarnation is urgent?”
Earlier in January, during the Kalachakra teachings, the octogenarian Tibetan leader told devotees, “Some prophecy and also my own dream indicated that I would live till the age of 113 which I am not sure but I will surely live for more around 100 years old. Hence, all of you need not worry and stay assured.”
The egalitarian Tibetan leader will celebrate his 82nd birthday in three months time on July 6. His next schedule is almost a month and a half away here in Dharamshala in the beginning of June – to give teachings at the Thekchen Choeling Tsuklakhang temple.