Travels by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama made his first foreign visit outside Tibet in 1954 when he spent almost a year in China meeting with its leaders and touring various places. In 1956, His Holiness made his second visit abroad to India, at the invitation of the Mahabodhi Society of India, to attend the 2500th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Lord Buddha. In 1959, His Holiness once again returned to India, this time as a refugee escaping the brutal Chinese occupation of Tibet, thus beginning his life in exile.
With the initial years of exile being focused on the rehabilitation of tens of thousands of Tibetan refugees in India, His Holiness made many visits within India visiting the refugees and their new camps. In 1967, His Holiness made his first visits abroad since coming into exile, visiting Japan and Thailand. In 1973, His Holiness made his first visit to the West, visiting 12 European countries for a record 75 days! His first visit to the Americas was to the United States and Canada in 1979.
Up to 2007, His Holiness has made more than 300 separate visits, lasting from just a few days to more than three months. His Holiness has visited 65 countries spanning six continents. He has been to the United States most often (35 times) followed closely by Germany (31 times). As one of the most widely travelled leaders in the world, His Holiness' travels mainly focus on his two life-long commitments: the promotion of human values and the promotion of religious harmony and understanding. In the pursuit of these commitments, His Holiness has met with people from a cross section of all society and of all ages.
Click here to glance at a list of His Holiness' past visits.
With the initial years of exile being focused on the rehabilitation of tens of thousands of Tibetan refugees in India, His Holiness made many visits within India visiting the refugees and their new camps. In 1967, His Holiness made his first visits abroad since coming into exile, visiting Japan and Thailand. In 1973, His Holiness made his first visit to the West, visiting 12 European countries for a record 75 days! His first visit to the Americas was to the United States and Canada in 1979.
Up to 2007, His Holiness has made more than 300 separate visits, lasting from just a few days to more than three months. His Holiness has visited 65 countries spanning six continents. He has been to the United States most often (35 times) followed closely by Germany (31 times). As one of the most widely travelled leaders in the world, His Holiness' travels mainly focus on his two life-long commitments: the promotion of human values and the promotion of religious harmony and understanding. In the pursuit of these commitments, His Holiness has met with people from a cross section of all society and of all ages.
Click here to glance at a list of His Holiness' past visits.
