The Dalai Lama is expected to be able to resume a normal schedule in a couple of days, and he is expected to rest in Mumbai for the next few days. However, the exile government has released a statement requesting that His Holiness rest for three months and cancel all his appointments in March and April in order to preserve his health. Tibetan Kashag statement

The India Times reprints an AFP Photo of His Holiness leaving the hospital (registration may be required to view the photo). The AP at the Washington Post, has the latest details of His Holiness illness and itinerary and also a photo, and Kyoto News has the most informed background information about His Holiness's activities leading up to his illness.

The hospital spokesman indicated that tests showed His Holiness infection was of amoebic origin. AP-Washington Post

Reuters reports that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso left Lilavati Hospital on February 2d. He told a crowd of reporters that he felt much better. Earlier, a hospital spokesman said His Holiness is "perfect health. There is no cause to worry about the infection. . . . It is so nice to see him smiling again. You will see his smile as he leaves the hospital."

The major wire services' stories are available at a variety of different media web sites. The links selected here are Reuters from its own site as well as at The Times of India; the BBC at its own site and PTI at Rediff.net.

The hospital in Mumbai treating His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued the following statement on His Holiness on January 30, 2002:

”We are very happy to state that His Holiness the Dalai Lama had a normal breakfast this morning. The diet has shifted from a liquid diet to a soft diet today. The investigations show further improvement. His appetite is also comparatively better. His Holiness had a restful sleep last night.

”As far as his stay in the Hospital is concerned He would be required to be here till he completes the entire course of antibiotics prescribed.

”His Holiness has received good wishes for speedy recovery from many people all over the world.

”His Excellency Shri K.R. Narayanan, the President of India, the Honourable Shri P.C. Alexander, the Governor of Maharashtra, the Honourable Shri Shanta Kumar, Union Minister, Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthy, President of B.J.P. have all conveyed their good wishes and prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speedy recovery.

”Also Shri Vijaybhai Mehta, President & CEO of Lilavati Hospital has been in constant personal touch with the Hospital authorities from abroad to monitor the health of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and has wished him a speedy recovery.“

Further tests of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have come back normal. CNN reports that His Holiness has a "clean bill of health" as a result of recent tests. CNN and Reuters quote Prakash Mhatre, operations director at the Leelavati Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, as stating that "We undertook further medical examinations this morning like blood tests on a fasting stomach. He's absolutely normal." The Midday daily out of Bombay, apparently retracted its earlier reports and is now leading with the story that "The Dalai Lama is fine. Tibet’s leader, always healthy in spirit, continues to be healthy in body at 66 years of age." The hospital states that it will evaluate His Holiness response to antibiotics in determining how soon it will discharge him.

Meanwhile, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa has left Bodhgaya and is now in Varanasi.

Tenzin Geyche Tethong, secretary to the Dalai Lama, released a a statement that "His Holiness was checked and examined at the Leelavati hospital in Mumbai. The panel of doctors who examined and are taking care of him have declared that the bowel infection he sustained is under control."

A staff reporter for the Afternoon Despatch & Courier, one of the main Bombay/Mumbai newspapers reports that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is "fine and cheerful." X-ray and ultra sonography results were "pretty good." The paper said that hospital spokesman Prakash Mhatre stated that "as of now, the Dalai Lama appears to have contracted a viral infection which is normal with change of place/diet, etc." Further tests will determine how long the Tibetan leader would have to stay in the hospital could be decided only later in the day. Mhatre added that "'In the morning, he had coconut water, breakfast, and was feeling better.'"

Similar reports that His Holiness's tests are routine are in other major media outlets, such as the BBC, which reports that His Holiness "could soon be discharged." The AP is now reporting that His Holiness will be discharged on the 28th. Some reports indicate discharge could happen Monday. Reuters reports that His Holiness is "absolutely normal." NDTV reports that "the condition of Tibet's supreme spiritual and temporal leader the Dalai Lama, admitted in a Mumbai hospital, has 'visibly improved.'"

Rumors continue to be reported by some media persons indicating more troubling medical issues. The Midday paper out of Mumbai/Bombay leads with a disturbing report, based on unnamed sources at the hospital. As to these rumors, His Holiness has personally responded through the hospital spokesman: "``He had a normal breakfast this morning and is recovering well. The Dalai Lama was angry at reports that he had a tumor,'' Prakash Mhatre, director of operations at Lilavati Hospital. ``He had an upset stomach and is feeling fine after being put on a course of antibiotics,'' Mhatre said after the spiritual leader underwent more tests Monday morning. AP

We urge those concerned about His Holiness to read about the request by the Dalai Lama's office for specific prayers for His Holiness long life for the benefit of all beings.

PTI indicates the the first reports about His Holiness the Dalai Lama after hospitalization in Mumbai indicate that he is fine. PTI quoted hospital sources as saying "It is not serious. There is nothing to be worried about. His Holiness has been admitted to the hospital and we have conducted blood test, sonography and x-ray. According to initial tests, there is no trace of any lump as was suggested in Patna." Detailed reports are to be made available Monday.

Reuters quoted Prakash Mhatre of the Leelavati Hospital and Research Center as saying that His Holiness is "is fine, he is cheerful, he can speak, he can move himself. Just as a precautionary measure he was brought from Patna. He had abdominal pain, some uneasiness and pain in the stomach.'' Asked about reports of a lump in the Tibetan leader's stomach, Mhatre said he could not confirm anything. ``The test reports are expected tomorrow morning.''

CNN, the AP and the BBC report that His Holiness is fine, cheerful and undergoing routine tests. The AP has also released photos of His Holiness arriving at the hospital and waving at reporters.

Leelavati Hospital in Bombay previously examined His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his regular and routine medical checkups a few months ago, and found him to be in good health. His Holiness has been reported to have had stomach distress since mid-December. The Kalachakra empowerment in Bodhgaya, at which His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa was to attend, was postponed until next year.

The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has asked for prayers for His Holiness, and specifically recitation of the Tara mantra. More information is available at the Nalandabodhi website in the special prayers section.

The full PTI report is at the Times of India website. The Reuters report can be found at the New York Times website. The CNN and BBC reports are at their respective websites. The AP report may be read at the the Yahoo news website, where you can also find a video report with footage of His Holiness entering the hospital as well as the AP photos of His Holiness arriving at hospital in Bombay and waving to reporters.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been hospitalized. The stomach ailment previously reported as gastroenteritis may be more serious than originally thought. The Associated Press reports that His Holiness "The Dalai Lama, who has been complaining of stomach pain and exhaustion, will be flown to Mumbai on Sunday for a medical checkup, an associate said on Saturday. The decision was taken after a team of doctors examined the Tibetan spiritual leader in a Buddhist monastery in Bodhgaya, where he has been staying since his arrival last week, said Masood Butt, his press coordinator." Additional reports indicate that a member of His Holiness's medical team said that the Dalai Lama had a lump in his stomach, but gave no further details. He was to be admitted to Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on Sunday.

His aides have asked for world-wide recitations the Tara mantra with the motivation of the full restoration of the health of His Holiness and the benefit of all beings.

AP/Washington Post,AP/Times of India.

The Kalachakra in Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, has been postponed until next winter due to the Dalai Lama's illness. Although His Holiness is expected to recover fully from a stomach ailment, he is unable to engage in the strenuous activities required by the Kalachakra ceremony. Masood Butt, DIIR spokesman for the Kalachakra, released an official announcement of the postponement.

The Associated Press's Indranil Singh writes from Gaya that: "Meanwhile, the Karmapa, 16-year-old Ugyen Thinley Dorje, arrived in Bodhgaya to take part in other rituals. He is likely to attend a mass prayer for the long life of the Dalai Lama on Jan. 30. The Dalai Lama and Karmapa are two of the three most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

"The Dalai Lama arrived in Bodhgaya on Thursday in a government helicopter after two days of treatment in a hotel for low blood pressure and gastroenteritis. After that, he was not seen in public until the Thursday morning ceremony.

"The Dalai Lama had been resting at a Buddhist monastery in Bodhgaya, the complex of temples marking the site where Buddhists believe the founder of their religion, Gautama Siddhartha, received enlightenment and was known as the Buddha." AP-Washington Post; AP photo of HH Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya.

The press spokesman for the event has announced that His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa and Ganden Tri Rinpoche are scheduled to lead an inter-traditional prayer meeting under the Bhodi tree at the Mahabodhi temple on the 25th.

The Dalai Lama was originally scheduled to give preliminary talks on the 21st through 24th, prior to the commencement on the 25th of the Kalachakra empowerment ceremony itself. Such preliminary talks by HH the Dalai Lama are typically given by him in advance of the Kalachakra ceremony, which His Holiness has conferred before. After His Holiness was reported to have health problems prior to the talks, other eminent lamas substituted for him until the 24th, when he was scheduled to commence teaching again.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama appeared at the preliminary talk for the Kalachakra as scheduled Thursday morning in Bodhgaya, waving and smiling, but after half an hour decided to leave the Bodhgaya venue where the ceremonies are taking place. Samdong Rinpoche, on behalf of the Kashag (Tibetan parliament in exile), welcomed His Holiness decision to postpone the Kalachakra due to the need for him to recover his health.

Separately the DIIR released a request for Tara (Tib. Drolma) prayers to be recited on behalf of HH the Dalai Lama's health. WTN.

As prominent as the reports about His Holiness's hearth are press reports from the scene about security issues plaguing the massive event with tens of thousands of participants from all over the world. There is some speculation that security is as much a reason for the cancellation as is health. Karmapa News has in earlier reports detailed the numerous security concerns that have been mentioned in the press, ranging from Maoist guerrilla factions, to spies from China, to Mahabodhi Temple hunger-strikers, to Kashmir activists, to anti-Karmapa factions.

Unfortunately, security alerts are also being emphasized all over India. In anticipation of Republic Day, 50,000 police and armed forces personnel have been deployed in Delhi alone. Similar security preparations are evident in Kolkata, where two days ago armed gunmen attacked a police outpost in front of the American Centre. A million troops have reportedly been deployed along the Pakistan border due after the terrorist attack earlier this month on Indian parliament was traced to Pakistan-based terrorist organizations, some of whom have been traced to prior threats on His Holiness Karmapa.

PTI reported that the Kalachakra ceremony had been postponed due to the ill health of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who apologized to the attendees for his inability to continue the empowerment. The Times of India, The Hindu. Indian television news (NDTV) reported that the entire ceremony has been canceled.

The PTI report stated that "The ten-day Kalachakra festival, which began in Bodh Gaya on January 21, was today postponed midway with the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama announcing that he was unable to deliver a long spiritual speech on account of illness. . . . "The Dalai's statement disappointed thousands of Buddhists who arrived in Bodh Gaya from several countries to hear their spiritual leader on the occasion of Kalachakra festival."

Star News (NDTV) reported “The Kalachakra ceremonies being held in Bodh Gaya have reportedly been canceled. The reason being given is the Dalai Lama's ill health, but police sources in Gaya have admitted enhanced security arrangements have curtailed the Buddhist pontiff's movements.

“The Dalai Lama made a short appearance this morning. He was due to give a discourse for which thousands of devotees had graveled from all over the world. This year's Kalachakra was significant as it was being held after 15 years at Bodh Gaya -- the place Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.”

Reports of the cancellation appeared on Star News (a live video feed of Star News is available from the NDTV website). The text of the NDTV printed report is archived at the site. The reports from PTI are reprinted at The Times of India and The Hindu websites. The AP report can be found at the Washington Post site, among others. WTN has statements from the event handlers and Tibetan government.

Feverish preparations are underway in Bodhgaya for the Kalachakra to be given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as His Holiness on January 21 begins the preliminary teachings before the empowerment. The empowerment itself is to commence on the 24th. In addition to His Holiness Karmapa, tens of thousands are expected to attend. This number will also include many overseas guests, leading PTI to label it as "the largest congregation of Buddhists from around the world. Besides Dalai Lama, Queen of Thailand and ambassadors of the countries which have Buddhist population, would attend the festival." The Times of India quotes intelligence officials as saying that "Perhaps, it is the biggest meet of the Buddhists to be addressed by the aging Dalai Lama in many years."

The celebrity of the participants has caused numerous security concerns for the Bodh Gaya authorities as many are expected to take advantage of the publicity of the event. Dipak Mishra of The Times of India reports that potential security threats include the the local terrorist organization known as the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) who recently blew up a Hindu religious retreat building near Bodhgaya, Chinese spies who potentially are infiltrating across the Nepal-India border, as well as fringe elements in the Tibetan community considered to be opposed to the Karmapa. A police official quoted by the Times indicates that the authorities are particularly concerned to avoid "any untoward incident'" engineered by any outfit, as they would regard it as a "national disaster."

If it were America, this might be described as an attempt to create "Shoe-gate." Certain elements in Bodhgaya are warning Tibetans that they may not continue to wear shoes when they enter the shrine areas of the Mahabodhi Temple. Last year these elements garnered publicity when they complained about HH Karmapa wearing shoes in the temple, even though it is longstanding policy for Tibetans to keep their shoes on in such circumstances. This year, the Karmapa abandoned his shoes at the door, but the "general secretary of the Mahabodhi Vihar All India Liberation Committee" is warning the Dalai Lama that he too must not wear shoes in the temple, upon threat of disruption of the Kalachakra by the group. The Dalai Lama is already in Bodhgaya preparing for the Kalachakra Empowerment which the Karmapa will attend at the end of the month.

The article by Abdul Qadir is available at The Times of India website.

The Karmapa's itinerary for the remainder of his pilgrimage to the holy places of the Buddha in the Varanasi area. India has been made public. A good account of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites is available in Jeremy Russell's essay, "The Eight Places of Buddhist Pilgrimage." Noteworthy in the schedule below is His Holiness first visit to Kushinigar, where the Buddha passed into parinirvana. Russell recounts one traditional description: "As the third watch of the night approached, the Buddha asked his disciples thrice if there were any remaining perplexities concerning the doctrine or the discipline. Receiving silence, he gave them the famous exhortation: 'Impermanence is inherent in all things. Work out your own salvation with diligence.'"

Visit to Vajra Vidya Institute (VVI), Sarnath

January 9
8.00 AM
Puja, Offering and Lighting of One Thousand Butter Lamps in the main temple & 9.00 AM and
4.30-onward
Audience/Prayers

January 10
9.00 AM - onward
Audience/Prayers

January 11
9.00 AM - onward
Audience/Prayers
1.00 PM onward
Visits to Burmese Chinese, Japanese, Nyingma and
Thailand Temples
4.30 PM
Audience to Students of CIHTS, Sarnath

January 12
2.00 PM - onward
Visit to Alice Project Universal School, Sarnath

January 13
9.00 AM - onward
Audience/Prayers

January 14
6:30 AM
Leave VVI for Kushinagar & other Buddhist Sacred Places, including the Parinirvana Temple, Ailing Spot,
and the Black Stupa

January 15
8:30 AM Leave Kushinagar for VVI, Sarnath

January 16
Lunch with Tutor His Most Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche in Varanasi

January 17
9.00 AM - onward
Audience/Prayers
5.00 PM - 6.00 PM
Presentation of cultural program by students at Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath

January 18
Outdoor picnic at Lakhani, Varanasi

January 19
9.00 AM - onward Audience/Prayers

January 20
2.00 PM - onward Consecration of a newly installed white marble slab bearing the teaching of the
Four Noble Truths at Mulagadi-kutti, Sarnath

January 21
9.00 AM - onward
Audience/Prayers

January 22
Lunch with Tutor His Most Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

January 23
Thanksgiving and photo session

January 24 onward
8.00 AM Bodhgaya

Security for the visit to Bodhgaya of HH Dalai Lama and HH Karmapa has been further heightened due to the recent MCC attack in the nearby Khajwati village, reports PTI. "Additional Director General Of Police (Patna zone) Ashish Ranjan Sinha told PTI 'We are leaving nothing to chance... We have made fool-proof security arrangements and all police stations have been put on maximum alert to maintain law and order.'Six probationary deputy superintendents of police would assist the district administration in maintaining peace, official sources said, adding a company of para-military personnel was also deployed at Bodh Gaya.

" The area where the Dalai Lama would inaugurate the 10-day third 'kalchakra' on January 21 had been declared a security zone. He would stay in Bodh Gaya till January 30. Teenage Tibetan spiritual leader Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee would also arrive at Bodh Gaya on January 19 to participate in the 'kalchakra'."

At the Press Trust of India and The Times of India web sites.

In the Magadh district of India, which includes Gaya and Bodhgaya—where the Kalachakra is scheduled to begin later this month—a terrorist splinter group called the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), banned by India but apparently still active in Bihar, engaged in a successful raid. Members of the MCC, reported to number in the dozens, entered a holy shrine area in rural India, temporarily detained the residents, wired the structures with dynamite, and blew it up. No one was reported hurt in the raid. The area blown up is referred to as a "math" or "mutt," which is a derivative Sanskrit term meaning "meeting place; abode of Sadhus." The MCC was reportedly fighting "feudalism." The area is under the supervision of the Magadh police station.

Abdul Qadir writes that "though more or less symbolic, the blasts, in a big way, announce the MCC's arrival in the close vicinity of Bodh Gaya, the international tourist-cum-pilgrim centre for the Buddha devotees and other inquisitive travellers. Khajwati village, a part of the Bodh Gaya block, is located at a distance of only about five km from the seat of Buddha's enlightenment.

At a time when the overall security scenario in the country is cause for concern, the blasts have added to the woes of officials responsible for the maintenance of law and order and provi