Walk for peace: Buddhist monks arrive in Washington after 3,700km journey

WASHINGTON – Draped in burnt-orange robes, two dozen Buddhist monks arrived in Washington, DC, on Feb 10 on a 3,700km “Walk for Peace”,

a self-described spiritual journey

across nine states that has been cheered on by crowds of thousands.

“People want this,” said Ms Joan Donoghue, 59, from Silver Spring, Maryland, who had come out with four of her friends on Feb 10 to see the monks.

“I went on Sunday in Virginia and I waited outside for a long time and I talked to so many people and they all said the same thing: that our country needs this. We feel divided and people want more kindness and more compassion and more peace.”

The monks began their walk in Texas more than three months ago, at times braving frigid winter temperatures, sometimes with bare feet, to raise “awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world”.

The marchers continued on despite a powerful winter storm that spread a paralysing mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Ohio Valley and mid-South to New England, compounded by bitter, Arctic cold gripping much of the US.

Accompanied by

Aloka, a rescue dog from India

who has gained a following on social media as the “Peace Dog”, their journey comes at a time of growing tensions in the US.

President Donald Trump’s tough immigration policy has seen surges of immigration agents and National Guard troops deployed in some cities, with both American citizens and immigrants killed by federal agents.

“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,” said Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace.

“The Walk for Peace is 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.”

They will spend Feb 10 and Feb 11 in Washington and end their journey in nearby Annapolis, Maryland on Feb 12.

Support and flowers

The walk has garnered support from millions of people on social media, with many sharing messages of support for the monks.

Supporters have braved snow and rain to meet and offer flowers to the monks as they passed through their cities.

In Washington, hundreds of people came out to see the monks as they walked along a road informally known as Embassy Row because of the high number of embassies and diplomatic residences.

Mr Coleman O’Donoghue, 62, of Washington, caught the attention of many of those onlookers as he carried a large flag with the peace symbol on a sea of blue. Feb 10 was the fourth time he and his wife, Bonnie, had seen the monks.

“They are beautiful distraction from the chaos that is taking place in the city, the country and in the world right now,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

“It gives everyone a second to pause and think about something that is not as stressful as what the chaos is creating.”

While they waited hours just to see the monks for less than a minute, many of the spectators said the camaraderie and good energy made the experience worthwhile.

Ms Julie Segor, 58, of Washington, made friends with a couple she met while waiting. Carl, 61, and Christine Varner, 65, of Maryland, pooled their flowers and fruit with her to give to the monks as they passed.

“It was a shared common interest (that brought us together) to see the monks on the peace walk and give them some fruit and flowers,” Christine said.

During their stop in North Carolina, the state’s governor Josh Stein thanked the monks for bringing hope to millions with their message of peace, equality, justice and compassion.

“You are inspiring people at a time when so many are in need of inspiration,” Mr Stein said.

The Walk for Peace has made stops in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The monks met with spiritual and other leaders after arriving in Washington. They also held an inter-faith ceremony at the National Cathedral.

During the ceremony at the cathedral, Kimberly Bassett, the District of Columbia’s Secretary of State, presented the monks with a proclamation honouring them on behalf of the Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.

“Today may mark the end of a 2,300-mile walk but it is not the end of our journey for peace. Your pilgrimage has brought people together across cities, states and communities,” Ms Bassett said.

Although the walk has been positive, it has not been without obstacles. While walking through Dayton, Texas, a truck struck the monks’ escort vehicle, injuring several people, according to local media. Two monks sustained serious injuries and one had his leg amputated.

Despite the accident, the group continued to trek across the US to honour not only their original message of peace but also their brothers. REUTERS