Buddhist monks pass halfway mark on 2,300-mile Walk for Peace through US | North Carolina
A group of Buddhist monks is halfway through the 2,300-mile Peace Walk, which aims to raise awareness of “peace, loving kindness and compassion” in the United States and around the world.
The 18 monks, two of whom practice the Buddhist tradition of never lying down during the three-month journey, were in North Carolina on Saturday, their 83rd day on the road. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, who marched barefoot, they overcame a serious injury to one member of the group as they advanced towards Washington, DC.
The monks set out from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26 before crossing Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priests stop at the capital city of each state they pass through, often drawing crowds of thousands of people. their social media It attracted more than million followers. Once they arrive in Washington, D.C., they will ask Congress to recognize Vesak, the day of Buddha’s birth and enlightenment, as a federal holiday.
“We are planning to go to Washington D.C. because Washington D.C. is the heart of the nation. We believe that by reaching the heart of the nation, we can reach the hearts of all Americans in the United States of America, and if we can convey the message of peace from there, we can reach all the American people in the United States of America,” said Neeraj Bajracharya, government liaison and press coordinator for the march.
Bajracharya said Buddhist monks have been conducting peace marches for 2,000 years. In 2022, Paññākāra made a 112-day trek across India, also barefoot, but found the American roads to be more challenging. His feet are heavily bandaged every day to treat injuries from stepping on rocks, nails and glass.
Paññākāra is not the only one suffering. Two of the monks adhere to dhutanga, a set of practices taught in Buddhism, during the walk, meaning they are only allowed to adopt three “postures” during the walk; especially for walking, standing or sitting, never lying down, even sleeping.
“They sit in meditation position and meditate all night. And this way they renew their energy,” Bajracharya said.
The priests have already had to overcome difficulties. Three weeks after they set out, a truck crashed into the group’s escort vehicle and was thrown towards the two monks; one of them lost his leg. Bajracharya stressed that this reduced the number of marchers to 18, but that the amputee was “in good shape”.
This isn’t the only time a member of the group has been caught.
Aloka, the dog rescued by Paññākāra in India in 2022, set out with the monks in October but aggravated his pre-existing leg injury. Aloka, whose name means “divine light” in Sanskrit, had surgery in South Carolina on Monday and rejoined the monks in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday.
Bajracharya said Aloka should be able to return to action by walking for about 10 minutes six times a day as she continues to recover. In a video shared on the monk’s Instagram account, Aloka is seen reuniting with the monks, wagging his tail as he greets his walking companions.
A caption under the video read: “Even during his healing journey, his bond with the venerable monks is so strong. This short visit brought so many smiles and a wonderful sense of peace to the entire team.” In a sign of the monks’ growing popularity, the post was liked by more than 200,000 people.
“It’s surprising how the reaction has been. We’re getting calls from all over the world,” Bajracharya said.
“The core, the cornerstone of this initiative is peace, unity, compassion and healing. And we want to reach every individual in America.”
