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Indiana is rangzen country: The launch of another
walk for Tibet's independence
Larry Gerstein
President, International Tibet Independence Movement
March 6, 2003
Tibetan Cultural Center, Bloomington, Indiana
On behalf of the International Tibet Independence
Movement and myself, I want to welcome you to the 2003
March for Tibet's Independence. We are deeply
appreciative of your willingness to support this walk.
We are also extremely honored to be joined by Tibetans
and Westerners from Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Kentucky, New York, Illinois, and Ohio. Your presence
motivates all of us to work harder to return Tibet to
the Tibetans. I am very sorry I cannot be here to
personally thank you and greet you. Right now, I am in
New York City taking care of my ailing elderly parents.
My trip to New York happened suddenly. Know, however,
that I will definitely be walking with you in spirit.
In fact, thousands of people will be walking with you
in spirit as they follow your progress on the internet
and contemplate your steps along the way. This means,
for instance, that Tibetans inside of Tibet will be
aware of your actions and your dedication as will
people inside China.
This walk, like all the others we have coordinated,
was inspired by Professor Thubten Jigme Norbu also
known as Taktser Rinpoche. This walk, however, takes
on added importance, since Rinpoche's youngest son,
Jigme Norbu, requested that we organize this action to
continue Rinpoche's vision to secure Tibet's
independence. Thank you Jigme-la for making this
request, thank you for helping to lead this walk, and
thank you for making certain that the next generation
of Tibetans will not forget their birthright of ruling
and living freely in their own country.
Let me give you a brief background on this walk. In
1994, Rinpoche requested that we walk for independence
all around the world. His vision to walk emerged from
many lunch conversations He had with one of His
Mongolian colleagues at Indiana University. Both men
were vigilant in their desire to regain their
countries from The People's Republic of China (PRC).
In fact, they made a pact to walk when they both
retired. Interestingly, the Mongolian Professor
returned for a visit to his home after retirement and
soon passed away. Rinpoche vowed to carry out this
man's wishes. Therefore, our walks for independence
are not only designed to return Tibet to the Tibetans,
but also to return Southern Mongolia to the Mongolians.
Since our first walk in 1995, which by the way, was
also from Bloomington to Indianapolis, we have
advocated for the independence of both of these
countries. Further, we have also advocated for the
independence of Eastern Turkestan and the right of the
Taiwanese to rule their own country. Like Southern
Mongolia and Tibet, Eastern Turkestan has been
brutally occupied by The PRC resulting in the death of
100's of thousands of people and the widespread
destruction of the culture and environment.
Our walk this year continues our commitment to help
secure freedom and independence for the citizens of
these countries This year our goals, in addition to
advocating for independence are in part to educate
people about the situation in Tibet, to fight for the
release of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama, to
fight for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who is
a Monk who was unjustly arrested and sentenced to
death, to stop the railroad and pipeline being built
in Tibet by China, and to Boycott China's Goods.
Today, it is almost eight years to the day that we
first began walking for Tibet's independence starting
right here at this Stupa; a Stupa dedicated, in part,
to the death of 1.25 million Tibetans at the hands of
the Chinese. Since 1995, we have coordinated five
major walks covering over 2100 miles. We joke here in
Indiana that this place is really Rangzen country,
meaning that you cannot live in Indiana unless you
believe in independence for Tibet. So, it seems
fitting that once again we will begin a march from
Bloomington to regain Tibet's independence.
I know from extensive personal experience that Tibet
is Rangzen country as well. I want the Tibetans inside
Tibet to know that we recognize and fully appreciate
what is in your hearts and understand what is required
on the exterior to cope with the oppression and
cruelty of your captors. I am absolutely humbled by
your dedication, motivation, and abilities to nurture
your dream and contend with suffering. Further, I
admire your talent to build friendships and coalitions
with your enemy. There is much to learn from your
example.
We have also learned a great deal from Taktser
Rinpoche about the importance of standing up for one's
rights, fighting for one's principles, embracing all
sentient beings, and respecting one's enemy. I want
you to know Rinpoche that our efforts to regain Tibet
will never stop, regardless of whether a solution
short of independence is accepted. We will not rest
until His Holiness The Dalai sits on His throne at the
Potala, His Holiness The Panchen Lama sits on His
throne at Tashi Lhunpo, Kumbum Monastery is filled
with thousands of Monks again, there are formal Tibet
Embassies around the world, there is a Tibet
representative in the general assembly of the United
Nations, and the Snowlion flys freely throughout Tibet
and at the United Nations.
In conclusion, in the midst of unimaginable suffering,
Tibetans counter violence with faith, oppression with
dignity, impulsive thoughts of revenge with patience,
and hatred with compassion. For over 50 years,
Tibetans and their supporters have relied on such
values and strategies in response to their enemy, The
PRC. This walk symbolizes the unyielding resolve in
the Tibet movement to stand firm on these principles,
knowing that ultimately truth and nonviolence will
prevail and restore the Tibetans as rightful leaders
of their own country.
In another part of the world there is a serious
conflict as well. The uncertainty of the USA-Iraq war
still leaves open the possibility of resolving this
particular crisis through nonviolence. Our walk
provides a poignant example of how direct nonviolent
action can effectively educate the masses and
influence worldwide leaders to respect the sanctity of
all life forms. Nonviolence is the only strategy
resulting in a lasting peace, as violence begets more
violence rippling from generation to generation.
Therefore, we vow to carry out our movement to regain
Tibet in a nonviolent fashion. We will succeed!
Thanks again to all of you who are participating and
supporting this walk.
Bhod Rangzen!
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