Buddhist Monks Walking for Peace

In these economically and politically bellicose times, the propaganda machine is working overtime to try to persuade the public that peace is old-fashioned and out of reach. Judging by the public’s welcoming and grateful response to a group of Buddhist monks engaged in a 2,300-mile, 120-day Walk for Peace, the anti-peace propaganda is failing miserably.

The monks launched the Walk for Peace at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas on October 26—along with their now equally famous “Peace Dog,” Aloka (which means “divine light” in Sanskrit)—and will end their trek this month in Washington DC. Spiritual leader Bhikkhu Pannakara describes the Walk for Peace as “a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.”

Initially 19 monks strong, the group lost one walker in November, when several monks were hit by a car in Texas, resulting in an unfortunate leg amputation for the most severely injured man, Bhante Dam Phommasan. (He says he feels “no regret,” describing the beauty of having observed so many spectators festooned with “happy tears.”) Aloka had a temporary time-out in January to undergo leg surgery but has since rejoined his human companions.

The ambitious route has taken the monks through parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. In each state they pass through, their stops include the state capitol. At the outset of the walk, the monks made it clear that they were “respectfully and sincerely” inviting the public’s “compassionate support and spiritual encouragement,” and thousands of awestruck people have taken them at their word, turning out in droves—often braving frigid winter weather—to witness the monks and honor their message of “peace, light, and harmony.”

One participant commented,

“What struck me the most was the crowd—mile after mile, throngs deep in a small (23,000) VA town. Every color, every creed, every age, and yes, across the political divide … as all patiently waited, some for hours in 22 degrees, standing shoulder to shoulder, to honor this message of PEACE.”

Repudiating the divide-and-conquer animosity that is all too prevalent in the wider world, another supporter stated, “It brings me joy to see a peaceful way to make a difference in the world without screaming and yelling.” Former Duke basketball player Robert Brickey commented, “Rather than talking about peace, the monks are demonstrating what peace looks like.”

The monks made Washington DC their final destination because they view it as “the heart of the nation.” Describing the Walk for Peace as “a heartfelt offering to the community,” their press coordinator has explained,

“By reaching to the heart of the nation, we believe that we can reach to the heart of all Americans across the United States…. 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.”