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A group of Buddhist monks reached Washington on foot on Tuesday, greeted by crowds of onlookers as they marked the end of a 108-day “Walk for Peace” across the United States.
The monks in their saffron robes have become fixtures on social media, along with their rescue dog Aloka. Thousands have gathered along Southern roadsides in support as the monks’ quiet procession made its way East for more than 3,700 kilometres.
Since beginning their walk at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, the monks’ message of peace has resonated across the country as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions.
Millions have followed them online, and crowds have greeted them at numerous venues, from a church in Opelika, Alabama, to City Hall in Richmond, Virginia.
“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s leader who has taught about mindfulness at stops along the way.
The 19 monks came from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the globe, led by Pannakara, who is vice president of the Fort Worth temple.
A cherished tradition
Nearly 3,500 people packed American University’s Bender Arena for the monks’ first public stop in Washington. But no raucous sports cheers greeted them: Spectators remained silent as they walked into the arena, as a sign of respect for the monks and their quest for peace.
The trek did not progress without perils. In November, were walking on the side of a highway when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck. Two monks were injured, and Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan had his leg amputated.
Phommasan, abbot of a temple in Snellville, Georgia, rejoined the monks in Washington and entered American University’s arena in a wheelchair.
While in the US capital, they plan to submit a request to lawmakers to declare Vesak — Buddha’s birthday — a national holiday. But, Pannakara and others have emphasised that this is not the goal of the walk.
Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the temple, said the walk is neither a political movement nor is it focused on advocacy or legislation.
“It’s a spiritual offering, an invitation to live peace through everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts,” he said. “We believe when peace is cultivated within, it naturally ripples outward into society.”
Peace walks are a cherished tradition in Theravada Buddhism. The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha as core to attaining enlightenment. It focuses on the mind-body connection, observing breath and physical sensations to understand reality, impermanence and suffering.
The monks completed 108 days of walking, a sacred number in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It represents spiritual completion, cosmic order and the wholeness of existence.
Additional sources • AP