FISHERS, Ind. – On July 4th at 1pm, Taktser Rinpoche along with his wife Kunchok Norbu will help receive 26 Tibetans and one Westerner completing an eight-day, 100-mile “March for Tibet’s Independence” from China’s Consulate in New York to Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
The 27 walkers will express their strong desire for Tibet’s independence when they arrive at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall on the Anniversary of the United States’ succession from England.
In 1950, Taktser Rinpoche escaped Tibet to educate people about the atrocities in his country. Before moving to the United States, he traveled the world meeting government and United Nations officials to establish support for Tibet. Sadly, no one listened.
Rinpoche was the first high profile Tibetan to settle in the United States. He served as His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Representative and a Tibetan Government In-Exile Representative to Japan and North America.
“It is great that Taktser Rinpoche was at China’s Consulate in New York when we began our walk and that he will be with us at Independence Hall. Since he was a young man, Rinpoche has worked hard to obtain Tibet’s independence. Even in his old age, Rinpoche is fighting for independence. This is a poignant example for all Tibetans especially young Tibetans that they should be firmly committed to working for independence,” said Venerable Yeshi Togden, former President of the Gu Chum Sum Movement; an organization located in India and committed to assisting Tibetans who are ex-political prisoners of China.
“Since he is old and should be at home, it is amazing Rinpoche came to launch our walk at China’s Consulate in New York and that he will be with us again in Philadelphia. During the entire walk, I have thought about Rinpoche and the other older Tibetans walking with us. This has inspired me to keep walking even when I am feeling pain and tired. I hope we will get our independence in Rinpoche’s lifetime, and if we do not, we will never give up,” stated 23-year old Tenchoe Namseling.
Taktser Rinpoche has led and/or inspired 13 of ITIM’s walks and bicycle rides for Tibet’s Independence in North America. ITIM walkers and bike riders have compiled 3,330 miles in more than 330 days!
The twenty-six Tibetans and one westerner serving as core walkers are from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Chicago, Indiana, Philadelphia, Vermont, Maryland, Virginia, and India. Eight of them are below the age of twenty and four are in their seventies.
Rinpoche’s son, Jigme Norbu, is also walking. He has completed six ITIM walks and bicycle rides since 2003. Jigme continues to carry Rinpoche’s mantel of Tibet independence.
More information: www.rangzen.org or Professor Larry Gerstein (rangzen@aol.com; 317-506-2249).
