St. Paul, Minnesota – Jigme Norbu and Tenzin Jamyang, two activists who had been walking for three weeks through the American Midwest to raise awareness for Tibet, arrived in Minnesota on Monday to a warm and cheering welcome from the local community.
Draped in Tibetan flags, the two braced sun and rain to cover a total of 600-mile from Bloomington, Indiana to St. Paul, Minnesota, averaging 28 miles a day. As they approached Madison and Minneapolis , they were joined by Tibetans living in neighboring communities.
“Our goal is to get in touch with our roots, spread the message about human rights and keep our movement alive,” said Norbu , who first took part in such walks led by his father, Late Taktser Rinpoche, the elder brother of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Norbu has since completed more than 16 bike rides and walks for the Tibetan cause.
“We are walking for the 1.2 million people who have died for Tibet ,” Norbu said. “We are walking for peace, we are walking for human rights.”
Arriving in St. Paul yesterday, Norbu – though sun-burnt showed no sign of exhaustion – delivered a vibrant but moving talk to the local community. Given what is happening inside Tibet, Tibetans in the free world should “stand up and do something”, he said. For inspiration, he often invoked the example of his father during his speech.
“My father said you should be proud that you are Tibetan,” Norbu said. “It is my father’s dream to continue to fight for the independence for Tibet. He settled for nothing less than independence.”
Norbu and Jamyang officially ended their walk at the State Capitol in St. Paul at around 4 pm on Monday, which is also Memorial Day. They were received by local Tibetans of Minnesota who joined them in a final two-hour march to the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM).
Norbu called on the Tibetans to translate rhetoric and goodwill into action and work for their community. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama has laid down the foundation for us and planted the seeds for us through his tireless work,” he added. “It is now up to us to do the work.”
After the talk, an audience asked Norbu about his stand with regard to the political status of Tibet. Regardless of whether Tibetans agree in Middle-Way path of autonomy or complete independence, what is important is taking action, he said. He insisted that every Tibetan is entitled to holding his or her own beliefs. He himself, however, said believed in complete independence.
Jamyang, who originally lives in Chicago , said that China’s policies are endangering the very existence of the Tibetan people. “The suffering that Tibetans under the Chinese rule are going through should encourage Tibetans to take more action on their behalf. Tibetans inside Tibet are hoping that Tibetans in the free world will come to their rescue.”
“Even from the Buddhist point of view, it is imperative that we do something for them by exercising compassion,” he said.
Jigme Ugen, the President of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Minnesota, who co-organized the event (other organizations involved were TAFM, RTWA and SFT), said the dedication and determination of the two walkers has lifted everyone’s spirit. “Not only have they educated thousands of Americans about Tibet’s plight, but inspired Tibetans and Tibet supporters all over the world,” Ugen said.
“A direct non-violent action like ‘Walk for Tibet’ unquestionably embarrasses the Chinese government and it simply drives them nuts. This is an extremely empowering experience for us.”
“Tibet’s independence will not be achieved by waiting; it has to be constantly highlighted and continuously fought for,” Ugen said, lifting his fist in the air.
Several youth from Madison and Minnesota joined them on their walk.
“I want the younger generation to be proud of Tibet – I want them to get involved in non-violent protests,” Norbu said later.
Norbu said he was particulary envcouraged and thrilled by the kind of passion shown by younger generation of Tibetans towards their march.
Two college students joined them on the walk from Madison to St. Paul while several Tibetans from Minnesota also took part in the journey, some of them for as long as three days.
Tenzin Jangchup, 20, a resident of Minneapolis, joined the two marchers after she heard that they were on the road and walked with them for three days. “I felt like it is my responsibility to support Tibet,” said Jangchup, a pharmacy student. “I am grateful to them for giving us an opportunity to learn from them,” she said.
“After the day of walking, rather than taking rest, they would update the day’s activities on the website. Since the Internet connection is slow, it took them long to successfully upload everything, thus leaving them only a few hours to sleep,” she said.
Norbu said he is again participating in a walk in July and considering a walk to Canada next year. In this way, he said, he is planning to take walk and talk campaign global.
He says he is as hopeful as ever about the future of the Tibetan cause. Increasing awareness on Tibet in the world, the reach of the Internet, and most importantly the enthusiasm from the youth makes him all the more hopeful, Norbu says. Summer camps, protests and short walks to raise the awareness surrounding issues of Tibet are on his future lists.
In 1995, Norbu’s late father, Taktser Rinpoche, who was a Professor of Tibetan Studies in Indiana University in Bloomington, organized first such walk for Tibet.
Taktser Rinpoche led a week-long 90-mile walk from Bloomington to Indianapolis.
“He always told the truth about Tibet and he told it to everyone,” Norbu said of his father, who passed away in 2008. “He never stopped advocating independence for Tibet”
To know more, visit: www.ambassadorsforworldpeace.org
Based on report filed by RTYC MN
