CHICAGO, April 19 – The Dalai Lama is in Chicago on a quiet trip to meet with select supporters and friends, his first visit to the area since 1999.
Tsultim Ngabtak, the president of Buddhist View International in Morton Grove, Ill., said the Dalai Lama’s trip took him by surprise.
He said he received a call Monday afternoon about the visit on Tuesday and was asked to form a small welcoming party, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
A few dozen supporters greeted the Buddhist spiritual leader and Tibetan exile at the Waukegan (Ill.) Regional Airport where he flew in at on a private plane.
Usually, the Dalai Lama is greeted by tens of thousands of supporters.
Ngabtak said the Dalai Lama won’t make any public appearances during his visit, which will only last a few days.
