A group of Theravada monks has passed the halfway point of their 3,700-kilometer Walk for Peace across the United States from the starting point at Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The walk is aimed at raising awareness of “peace, loving-kindness, and compassion” nationally and globally. (The Guardian) On Saturday, the group was walking through North Carolina on the 83rd day of their three-month journey, which began in late October.

The walk is led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara and currently involves 18 monks. Two of the participants are observing a traditional Buddhist ascetic practice that prohibits lying down for the duration of the walk. Bhikkhu Pannakara is undertaking the entire journey barefoot. Despite injuries and a serious traffic collision earlier in the walk, the monks are continuing toward their destination of Washington, DC.

The monks set out on 26 October from their Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, traveling through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, before reaching the Carolinas. En route, the group has made stops at the capitol building of each state they have passed through, often drawing large crowds. According to organizers, gatherings have sometimes reached into the thousands. The walk’s social media presence has also grown rapidly, with accounts collectively attracting more than a million followers.

When the monks reach Washington, DC, they plan to formally request that the US Congress recognize Vesak, the Buddhist commemoration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, as a federal holiday.

“We are planning to go to Washington, DC, because Washington, DC, is the heart of the nation,” said the government liaison and press coordinator for the walk, Neeraj Bajracharya. “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.” (The Guardian)

Bajracharya also placed the initiative within a longer historical context, noting that Buddhist monks have undertaken peace walks for 2,000 years. In 2022, Bhikkhu Pannakara completed a 112-day barefoot walk across India. However, Bajracharya said that walking in the US has presented distinct challenges, particularly due to road conditions. Bhikkhu Pannakara’s feet require daily bandaging after injuries sustained from rocks, nails, and broken glass.

The physical demands are not limited to the walk’s leader. Two monks are observing dhutanga, a set of traditional austere practices. During the walk, this discipline restricts them to three postures: walking, standing, and sitting. They do not lie down, even to sleep.

“They sit down in a meditation position and they meditate all night. And that’s how they replenish their energy,” Bajracharya said. (The Guardian)

The walk has also been marked by difficulties. Three weeks after the walk began, a truck hit the monks’ escort vehicle, pushing it into two members of the walking group. One monk later had to have his leg amputated as a result of the collision. Following the incident, the number of participants was reduced to 18. Bajracharya emphasized that the injured monk is now “doing fine.” (The Guardian)

Another challenge involved Aloka, a dog rescued by Bhikkhu Pannakara during his walk in India in 2022. Aloka, whose name means “light” in Sanskrit, began the US walk with the monks but aggravated a pre-existing leg injury. The dog underwent surgery in South Carolina earlier this week and briefly rejoined the monks in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bajracharya said Aloka would resume walking gradually, beginning with short intervals several times a day. Aloka has an official Facebook page called, “Aloka the Peace Dog.”

“He truly is our ‘Sheriff of Peace,’ ensuring that every mile was filled with safety and a few friendly tail wags!” organizers said. (WJLA)

Reflecting on the response to the walk, Bajracharya said, “It’s amazing how, how the response has been. We are getting calls from all over the world.” He added, “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.” (The Guardian)

See more

Buddhist monks pass halfway mark on 2,300-mile Walk for Peace through US (The Guardian)
Walk for Peace (Facebook)
Aloka the Peace Dog (Facebook)
LIVE MAP | Despite setbacks, Buddhist monks continue their peaceful trek towards DC (WJLA)

Related news reports from BDG

Buddhist Monk has Leg Amputated After Accident on Peace Walk
Update: Buddhist Monks Resume Walk for Peace Across US After Two Injured in Traffic Accident
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