109 days ago, 19 Buddhist monks set out from Fort Worth, Texas, towards the nation’s capital with one goal in mind: spread a message of peace and unity.
Their “ Walk of Peace” spanned 2,300 miles and countless cities throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia.
Although they were met by throngs of supporters along the way, their journey was full of highs and lows.
Three of the monks, including the head monk Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, elected to walk barefoot for a large part of the journey — but as winter storms struck and temperatures plunged, they relented and joined their peers in wearing shoes.
On November 19, a truck struck the group’s escort vehicle as they traveled near Daytona, Texas, injuring two of the monks. One of them, Wat Lao Buddha Khanti, later reunited with the group in January.
In early January, Aloka — a stray dog from India who had joined the monks on a prior peace walk — was offered surgery free of charge for a chronic leg issue. Afterwards, he rejoined the monks on their walk from the safety of a warm van.
Throughout it all, the monks have remained steadfast in their pilgrimage and thankful to everyone they have met along the way.
“We are so deeply grateful to be with each of you on this path,” the group shared on their official Instagram account. “To see so many hearts walking together, standing together, and sharing this sacred journey — it fills us with profound joy and gratitude.”
“Your presence, your love, and your dedication to peace have made these final days in Washington, D.C. truly unforgettable,” they continued. “Thank you for walking with us and for being the peace we seek in this world.”
On February 11, the monks shared their final address to the nation in front of the Lincoln Memorial from 2:30 to 4 p.m. EST, which was streamed on Walk for Peace Facebook Live, Walk for Peace Website, and Walk for Peace YouTube.
Image via Waruna Premathilake / Walk for Peace Facebook
The livestreams proved so popular that they crashed multiple times throughout the afternoon.
“Today, here at the Lincoln Memorial, I would like to express my heartfelt joy and deep gratitude to be standing in this place before all of you, an exceptionally special assembly, perhaps, the largest and most diverse gathering I have ever encountered in my life,” said Venerable Ratanaguṇa, a teacher of Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara.
“This is an assembly made up of people of all races and cultures without distinctions of faith or religion,” he continued. “People from all walks of life coming together here in the spirit of unity, love, empathy, and understanding.”
Ratanaguṇa also emphasized how special it was to finish their journey in Washington, D.C., which he called “the heart of a democratic, multicultural nation with some of the most advanced science and technology in the world.”
Ratanaguṇa thanked all of the people who fed him and his peers along the way, “both spiritually and materially.”
The Buddhist monks also pledged to continue their Walk for Peace long after they depart from D.C.
Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet and niece of the 14th Dalai Lama, also joined the stage for the proceedings to read a message from the Dalai Lama.
“Their initiative illustrates how religious practices can contribute to a practical and constructive way to social harmony and public dialogue. May their walk help sow the seeds of greater peace, understanding, and compassion in the United States and beyond,” Gyatso read on behalf of her uncle. “With my prayers and good wishes, the Dalai Lama.”
Following their speech, the group’s leader, Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, promised to lead a “global loving-kindness meditation” from 4:30-7:30 p.m. EST.
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Header image via Waruna Premathilake / Walk for Peace Facebook
