The monks arrive in Washington – credit, Walk for Peace via Facebook
It was a day that some locals said was unlike any other they had ever seen when the party of Buddhist monks arrived barefoot on the steps of the National Cathedral, as snow still covered the ground.
“This is the moment I will remember for the rest of my life,” said the leader of the band of monks, Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara. “And I hope you do the same.”
For months, the nation has been captivated as some 19 senior monks, known as Bhikkhus, left the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, and walked 2,300 miles to the nation’s capital for the sake of peace.
These 19 men came from monasteries around the Theravada Buddhist world to partake in a long-practiced tradition to spread peace by walking long distances. The word “Vipassana” refers to a practice of meditational beathing taught by the Buddha, one which Ven. Pannakara taught at Dharma talks given along their 15-week journey.
For a country that is often espoused to be a Christian nation, the saffron-sight of the monks walking silently in bare feet along the roads captivated the city and country, and drawn millions of followers to the Walk for Peace social media pages.
As they snaked their way down Wisconsin Avenue, thousands cheered, but thousands more understood enough to explain that it was more correct to remain quiet, or to say “Sadhu!” which means “wisely done,” in Pali, the language that the Buddha spoke.
The first public stop in DC was American University’s Bender Arena, where 3,500 people watched in silence as the monks entered to speak. Later, their journey culminated in front of the National Cathedral where Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde hosted an interfaith gathering to welcome their arrival.
Wednesday’s gathering on the Lincoln Memorial – credit, Walk for Peace via Facebook
There, Ven. Pannakara, himself rather soft-spoken, invited the thousands of onlookers to share the moment in withdrawn silence and breathing, while the cold air passed through bare tree branches, and the bells rang out overhead. To each, the Bhikkhu said, recite this mantra: “Today will be my peaceful day.”
After resting at a fire department, which had been their lot since the start of their journey, Wednesday saw them pass in front of Capitol Hill, before their final public act—an enormous gathering on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
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“In the 40 years I have lived in Washington I have NEVER experienced such beautiful, respectful and loving series of public events,” commented on resident, Nicole Krakora, in a Facebook post following the event. “Beautiful silence.”
Many noted the similarities to Martin Luther King’s speech on the same steps.
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