Day 8 - July 4 - Wednesday
Final Day

Day 8 - July 4 - Wednesday
Final Day
We woke up quite early today and left for the Mongolian Buddhist Temple. At the Temple, we participated in a 30-minute prayer session led by Geshe Monlam and Ven. Yeshi Tongden. This was an excellent way to begin the last day of our walk and to focus our energy on our mission.

When we began the walk, about 10 additional guest walkers including a number who had walked with us in 1996 and 1997 joined us. Geshe Monlam walked all 5 miles today at the front of the line.

Prior to walking, we were warned by members of the Unitarian Church in Germantown that the neighborhood we would walk through was extremely dangerous. Some even described the houses in this neighborhood as similar to those in Baghdad reporting there were many bombed out structures. They also told us that the neighborhood was known as the “bad lands.” Because of all this, the Unitarian members urged us to take a different route. We declined.

The 5-mile walk today did take us through some very poor, dirty, and disturbing neighborhoods. But, we did not have any trouble.

A TV reporter from Voice of America-Tibetan Service spent some time filming the walkers while on route. He was also present at the rally in front of Independence Hall.

We broke for lunch about 2 blocks from Independence Hall. During the lunch at Franklin Square Park, the possibility of having Taktser Rinpoche meet us in the Park emerged. Sure enough He did meet us. As a result, Rinpoche was able to take part in the last 2 blocks of the “March for Tibet’s Independence” from New York to Philadelphia. He was lined up at the front in between the American flag and the walk banner. His son, Jigme, pushed Rinpoche in His wheelchair for the final steps of this year’s walk. This was quite a powerful scene in the saga to return Tibet to the Tibetans.

About 30 Tibetans from Philadelphia were waiting for us when we arrived at Independence Hall. Considering there are only about 60 Tibetans in this City, the turnout was quite good.

Along with our rally, there were other freedom fighters on hand advocating for different causes. It was a fairly noisy scene, and at times, adversarial. Some members of other groups were not pleased with the message we were trying to share. At one point, there was a heated verbal exchange between one of our core walkers and a member of another group involved in a rally. The exchange ended peacefully though.

The formal part of the rally began with introductions by Tenzin Tsultrim, President of the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia. Prayers followed this. Taktser Rinpoche then gave each core walker a khata to show His appreciation to each of them for fighting for Tibet’s independence.

Rinpoche’s wife, Kunyang Norbu, then shared a few remarks. She thanked the walkers on behalf of Rinpoche and requested that they continue their effort to regain Tibet’s independence.

Larry Gerstein then spoke. He shared an overview of the walk and commented about the symbolism of various events and experiences that occurred during the walk in relation to the effort to secure Tibet’s independence. Larry also discussed the importance to the Tibet movement of ending this walk on July 4th at Independence Hall. He reminded the audience that Rinpoche had walked to Independence Hall once before in 1996 to focus attention on Rangzen.

Tenzing Nyima and Tenzin Wangchuk following with two rap songs about freedom for Tibet. One song they performed in Tibetan and the other in English. Both songs were very well received by the rally attendees and the people passing by.

Ngawang Norbu then read in Tibetan a “Declaration of Independence for Tibet” written by Jamyang Norbu. Nyendak Tsekyi Wangden read this same Declaration in English.

Jigme Norbu followed thanking all the core walkers. Jigme also pointed out he would do whatever was necessary to continue His father’s work to achieve Tibet’s independence. At one point in Jigme’s speech, he stressed if His father at such an old age and in a wheelchair could still participate in the effort to regain Tibet, it was incumbent upon all Tibetans to actively fight for their country.

Throughout the rally, there were rousing slogans chanted with great emotion and spirit.

Toward the end of the rally, a Long Life Prayer for His Holiness The Dalai Lama was recited, and the participants sang the Tibetan National Anthem and Long-Sho. The rally ended with the President of the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia giving each walker a khata. He also gave Taktser Rinpoche a khata and a replica of the Liberty Bell and U.S. Declaration of Independence.

After the rally concluded, a Park Ranger affiliated with Independence Hall asked if he could give Rinpoche a tour of the Liberty Bell. Eight people including a couple of photographers and the filmmakers went along. Rinpoche and His entourage were escorted into a private entrance of the building housing the Liberty Bell. Once inside the building, we encountered a magnificent picture of His Holiness The Dalai Lama with the Bell. His Holiness had visited the Bell one time in the early 1990’s. Rinpoche stopped to have His picture taken with His Holiness’ picture. At the Bell itself, another Park Ranger gave Rinpoche a detailed history about the Bell. While this was happening, a huge crowd of people encircled Rinpoche and was taking pictures and video. Some knew who Rinpoche was, while others were just curious about the “celebrity” coming to see the Bell. It was quite a scene.

The walk today, rally, and Rinpoche’s visit to the Liberty Bell definitely seemed historic and an important piece of the overall movement to restore Tibet’s independence. It was certainly a great honor and tribute to have Rinpoche with us for the conclusion of this walk. All were inspired.