Bloomington resident and Tibetan expatriate Rinpo Lama began a seven-day, traditional Tibetan prostration pilgrimage from State Capitol, St. Paul to Minneapolis to mark the 19th birthday of the Panchen Lama who is in Chinese custody. It is also aimed at drawing public attention to the plight of Tibetans in their own country and to raise public awareness that allowing the Olympic torch, which is supposed to symbolize fairness and decency pass through Tibet is adding insult to injury.
In accord with the philosophy of the Dalai Lama, Tibetans believe in pressing the issue of justice for Tibet and Tibetans by non-violent and creative means. Rinpo Lama has elected to employ the traditional Tibetan form of pilgrimage: prostration, unfamiliar to most Minnesotans but well-known to all Tibetans in the hope of awakening the people of his adopted state to the cause of Tibet and the cause of rescuing the Panchen Lama. Between April 25 and May 1, Rinpo will journey for part of each day from the Minnesota Capitol to Minneapolis City Hall by laying his body down, one body length at a time.
Rinpo Lama is known nationally for his long-distance bicycle rides for the Tibetan cause, from a solo journey from Minnesota to Washington in 2000 to a group ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles earlier this month.’
Rinpo is expected to complete his six day journey with a meeting with Mayor RT Rybak at City Hall following through Washington Ave. should it happen on May 6.
Former RTYC executive members Namgyal Rabten, Samten Suitsang, Penpa Kura and few others are on the team carrying placards, flyers and the Tibetan National flag. Namgyal is the coordinator. He can be reached at rabtenlak@yahoo.com if you want to know more about Rinpo and his prostration campaign. Rinpo Lama can be contacted at 612-205-0026.
