By Sue Bloom
Sydney, June 3 – 
A crowd of supporters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama held a celebration walk from Dee Why to Narrabeen on the outskirts of Sydney, to support and welcome the forthcoming Dalai Lama visit to Sydney Australia.
This walk took place three days before His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s expected arrival into Australia on 6 June. The weekend fell at the end of Saka Dawa, the most important month in the Buddhist calendar, which was also coincidentally Aboriginal reconciliation week in Australia. A week of profound thought on many aspects by many people.
Before the commencement of the walk, Tenpa Dugdak introduced himself and thanked all walkers for attending. He stressed that the more supporters in attendance at these meetings, the more appreciative the Tibetan community. It reassures them that their struggle has been acknowledged and supported by people who care. This means a great deal to the Tibetan community, who have suffered injustice and lack of action from the countries who promote their concern for world human rights.
Tenpa then introduced distinguished guest speakers Aboriginal Elders, Clair Jackson and Nancy Wood, who gave support and encouragement to the Tibetan community. They thanked the Guringai people for the use of the land, and emphasised that the plight of the Tibetan people is in the thoughts of the Aboriginal people. Their plights share many similarities, which invokes a mutual understanding and an empathetic bond between the Aboriginal community and the Tibetan community.
Supporters also included two members of the Federation for a Democratic China, representing Chin Jin, who is currently overseas. They have been strong supporters of the Tibetan community’s struggle for recognition for many years, and took this opportunity to express their continued support.
Other walkers included ATC, Tibetan Friendship Group, the Green Party, members of local Buddhist dharma centres, Aboriginal community members and local Tafe teaching staff along with many other supporters from the general public.
The walk started at 9.30am from Dee Why and reached its final destination at Berry Reserve Narrabeen at lunchtime, where speeches were made and traditional Tibetan food was served in abundance by the Tibetans who greeted walkers and supporters with their usual glowing hospitality.
On arrival at Berry Reserve, Ani La led a communal Prayer of Truth.
Tenpa then welcomed walkers arriving at the reserve and pointed out that the forthcoming visit is a wonderful opportunity for Tibetans and people in Australia to see the Dalai Lama, and that all Tibetans are all very excited about his visit. However, he stressed that it is not important that everyone meet the Dalai Lama in person, more important to understand his message of peace and hope for autonomy for the Tibetans living within Tibet. He is not striving for independence for Tibet, just autonomy to run their own region with respect to their own culture. If people fully understand this message, they will understand that he is not a rebel politician trying to cause pointless unrest, as the Chinese leadership is trying to portray. It is important for all supporters to fully understand what His Holiness the Dalai Lama represents and promotes. It is a peaceful vision of unity and humane and respectful treatment for his people.
Perhaps the Australian politicians have been rendered fearful and indecisive by the bullying trade threat tactics of the Chinese Communist Party, but the people of Australia are certainly showing their support for this peace loving man in the clearest way possible. They are voting with their feet. The forthcoming tour is completely booked out in all locations. Dalai Lama books are amongst the top best sellers, and have been so for a long time, and Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in Australia.
The next guest speaker was Dhondub Lama, who spoke about the destruction of the environment in Tibet, in particular the deforestation of immense areas at the headwaters of Asia’s major river systems. The impact of these rivers systems affects up to 49% of the worlds population, so he noted that supporters of Tibet are also supporting the well being of up to 49% of the world’s population. Not a small matter.
Conny Harris, member for the Green Party spoke about her party’s support of the Dalai Lama visit on this occasion and back in 2002 on his previous visit. She acknowledged that the Tibetan people have suffered inhumane atrocities, loss of identity, loss of culture, and many other injustices, and throughout this their leader has maintained his stance of non-violence. This is so powerful in an unjust world, and this is what inspires the support of the Green party.
Roy Howarth from Australia Tibet Council thanked everyone for attending and gave a summary of forthcoming events, especially the screening of the movie, 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama, which is to be screened on 27 June in Surrey Hills. Roy said support for ATC is always welcome and they plan to continue to work closely with their friends in the Tibetan community.
This walk was to celebrate the fact that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is coming to Australia and to thank him for the gifts of wisdom he shares with others on a daily basis. This Tibetan spiritual leader has shared his depth of wisdom and philosophy for a better world with many appreciative Australians, who feel very thankful that he has chosen to visit in person to allow them the opportunity to express the love and gratitude they feel for him in his presence.
