This country, the United States of America, is my first country of refuge and now my home. What makes this country special is its commitment to human rights, democracy, and freedom. From my experience, the best way to achieve human happiness is freedom and democracy. Keeping this in mind, people, particularly the youth, should join together, love their country from their hearts, and move this nation into the future. It is their responsibility and the future is in their hands. I feel incredibly fortunate, blessed, and proud to be a citizen of the United States of America, and I always pray for the long life and welfare of this country. On this Fourth of July, Happy Independence Day and long live the United States of America!🇺🇸

Written by Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, originally posted to Facebook on 7-4-2024. 

Images:  first image shows MDC on 7-4-24; next is Rinpoche at his US Citizenship party in 2017; final is Rinpoche at his US Citizenship Oath Ceremony with students in 2017.