A dedicated group of Buddhist monks has captured the hearts of people across the United States as they embark on a remarkable 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace.” Led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, the 18 monks, including two who are following a Buddhist practice of never lying down during the three-month journey, have already overcome serious challenges on their trek from Texas to Washington, D.C.
The monks set off on 26 October from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, and have since passed through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, stopping at the capitol of each state to spread their message of “peace, loving kindness and compassion.” Despite facing injuries, including one monk who lost his leg after being hit by a truck, the determined group has continued their journey, drawing crowds of thousands and garnering over a million social media followers.
“We are planning to go to Washington D.C., because Washington D.C. is the heart of the nation. By reaching to the heart of the nation, we believe that we can reach to the heart of all Americans across the United States, and by being able to deliver the peace message from there, we think that we can reach to all these American people across the United States,” said Neeraj Bajracharya, the walk’s government liaison and press coordinator.
The monks’ dedication to their cause is evident in the sacrifices they have made. Two of the walkers are adhering to the Buddhist practice of dhutanga, which means they are only allowed to adopt three “postures” during the march – walking, standing or sitting, never lying down, even to sleep. Their canine companion, Aloka, a dog rescued by Paññākāra in India, has also faced his own challenges, undergoing surgery for a pre-existing leg injury before rejoining the group.
Despite the obstacles, the monks’ message of peace, unity, and compassion has resonated with people across the country. As they near the halfway mark of their journey, the group is determined to reach Washington, D.C., where they will call on Congress to recognize Vesak, the Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment, as a federal holiday.
“It’s amazing how the response has been. We are getting calls from all over the world,” Bajracharya said. “The core, foundational stone of this initiative is peace, unity, compassion and healing. And we want to reach out to each and every individual in America.”
