Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Dalai Lama Arrives in Washington, DC Today; Will Guide Buddhists in 10-Day Prayer Ritual

The Voice of America News website reports today (July 5, 2011) that the Dalai Lama -- Tibet's exiled spiritual leader -- arrived in Washington, D.C. on July 5 to celebrate his birthday and guide followers of Tibetan Buddhism in a 10-day prayer and meditation ritual.

The Dalai Lama's visit -- which is likely to upset China -- is his first to the nation's capital since he stepped down as the political leader of the Tibetan government in exile earlier this year.

Wherever he goes, the Dalai Lama -- who turns 76 on July 6, 2011 -- is greeted with song and smiling well-wishers, and criticized by Beijing, which accuses him of trying to separate Tibet from China.

Since Chinese forces marched into Tibet more than half a century ago -- and the Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet in 1959 -- the struggle to retain control of Tibet by Red China has continued.

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