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World Tibet Network News Tuesday, June 3, 1997

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2. Marchers' Private Audience with His Holiness The Dalai Lama May 25, 1997

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Three years, three walks, and almost 900 miles after the first "March for
Tibet's Independence" from Bloomington to Indianapolis, Indiana, the path of
individuals walking for Tibet's independence finally intersected with that of
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. In a hotel conference room in Fishkill, New
York, Thubten Jigme Norbu (Taktser Rinpoche), the marchers for Tibet's
independence, and the organizing members of the International Tibet
Independence Movement (ITIM) held a private audience with His Holiness The
Dalai Lama. There were 25 individuals including Tibetans, Tiawanese, and
Westerners present at this audience.

In December 1996, the organizers of the "March" discovered that approximately
40 miles from the planned walking route His Holiness would be giving
teachings in Kent, New York. Believing that the close proximity of His
Holiness and the walk was quite auspicious, a letter was drafted and sent to
Dawa Tsering of the Office of Tibet in New York requesting an audience with
His Holiness. However, considering the possible implications of a meeting
between His Holiness and and an organization clearly supporting independence,
ITIM continued to plan the march uncertain that an audience would be held.

On March 6, the day before the steering committee of ITIM left for Toronto to
begin the march, word was received that His Holiness would hold an audience
with the marchers for Tibet's Independence. Having received such a blessing,
this group of individuals felt greatly inspired, fortunate, and honored. More
importantly, the significance of the walk itself was changed.

The morning of the audience the walkers listened to His Holiness in the Great
Buddha Hall of Chuang Yen Monastery in Kent, New York. Following the public
talk, His Holiness addressed approximately 500+ Tibetans sitting in a large
tent behind the Great Buddha Hall. During this talk, His Holiness spoke about
the importance of the structure for the democratic exiled government, stating
that it must be well built and not just propaganda. His Holiness also stated
that the Tibetan issue cannot depend on one person, and if the Tibetans
depend only on The Dalai Lama, when The Dalai Lama dies, the future of Tibet
would be endangered. His Holiness strongly urged that all Tibetans take
greater personal responsibility for Tibet's future.

His Holiness said He had no doubt that China's situation would change and
that there is still a chance to protect the Tibetan culture, if something is
done soon. Most importantly, His Holiness explained that if He died in-exile
and the Tibetans felt the need to find His reincarnation, He would never be
discovered inside China's legal and illegally occupied territories and that
the 15th Dalai Lama would continue the 14th Dalai Lama's commitment to
protecting Tibet's culture, religion, and people. His Holiness also assured
that the 15th Dalai Lama would be even a stronger advocate for the Tibetan
cause.

Regarding the referendum option of independence, His Holiness mentioned the
failed attempt of talks with the Chinese in 1979, reporting that there were
no results at that time from the middle way approach. He added that many
people, Tibetans and friends of Tibet, think that the middle path is not
right. Instead, Tibetans need to struggle for independence and talk about
independence. For this reason, His Holiness explained the need for Tibetans
to discuss what they want and to make a decision. "People must talk about
independence," He said. "That is good. We have the right to ask for
independence, but we need to think of our methods to struggle for
independence. Only prayers will not get independence, and only slogans will
not get independence." His Holiness stressed that Tibetans must carefully
and systematically construct and implement a method to pursue independence.

After lunch at the monastery, the walkers drove to the hotel in Fishkill
where the private audience with His Holiness was to be held at 4:30. As the
walkers and organizers waited nervously in the conference room, they prepared
gifts and arranged themselves in proper rows to greet Tibet's Spiritual and
Political Leader. Larry Gerstein, ITIM Director, gave specific instructions
on what to do and how to do it. Right on time, His Holiness, His attendents
and security, and Dawa Tsering and Rinchen Dharlo entered the conference
room. After the walkers prostrated His Holiness, Taktser Rinpoche offered
His Holiness a kata and then Rinpoche introduced each of the walkers and
organizers. The Tibetans approached His Holiness first, offering their katas
and gifts, and receiving katas and photographs autographed by His Holiness.
Then each of the Westerners approached His Holiness, doing the same. On
behalf of the walkers and the 70+ co-sponsors of the "March," Larry Gerstein
then offered His Holiness a recently published rare poetry book entitled
"Rlung," The Wind. This poem was written by Lhagyal Tsering, a 34 year old
Tibetan living in Tibet with caligraphy designed by Pema Bhum (a Tibetan in
the exile community). The poem described different ways to think about the
wind according to the four seasons of the year.

During our audience, the affection shared between His Holiness and Taktser
Rinpoche was very apparent, and almost everyone present was brought to tears
experiencing the meeting between these two brothers. The most accurate way
to describe participating in a private audience with His Holiness, is to
simply call it a blessing. However, for the walkers and members of ITIM,
being in the presence of these brothers, who each on their own path have
dedicated their lives to protecting Tibet and the Tibetans, the meeting held
special significance.

After everyone in attendence exchanged katas and were seated, His Holiness
asked if there had been any problems on the walk such as illness or blisters.
Taktser Rinpoche answered that some people had suffered colds and Kunchok, in
particular, had many blisters but they hadn't stopped her from walking.

Then His Holiness addressed the marchers for Tibet's Independence in Tibetan
and then repeated in English the following message: "I just want to say with
sincere motivation you volunteered to participate in this peace march, and I
thank you. I always listen to the Tibetan broadcasts Radio Free Asia and the
Voice of America Tibetan Service. So, from time to time, I have heard Taktser
Rinpoche and other Tibetans talking about the walk. Especially hearing
Taktser Rinpoche's words in Amdo dialect, I am very much moved. So, thank you
very much. And for you Americans who are walking and helping, I want to say
that, of course, we Tibetans have lost our country and our people are
suffering very much, so it is our duty, our moral responsibility to do
something. Because of your love of justice and for the Tibetan nation and the
Tibetan culture, you Americans have happily joined our movement which we
appreciate. Thank you. There is no doubt that Tibetans inside Tibet, when
they hear about such a movement like your walk, it certainly gives them
inspiration."

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Articles in this Issue:

1. Dalai Lama: "Rebirth Outside Tibet"
2. Marchers' Private Audience with His Holiness The Dalai Lama May 25, 1997
3. Tenzing Norgay's grandson also atop Mount Everest
4. Realism about China

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