Led by Bhikkhu Paññākāra, a group of around two dozen Buddhist monks began their journey on Oct. 26 to walk across the country. They walked for 120 days, starting in Texas and ending in Washington, D.C. The reason they walk is to promote compassion, mindfulness and nonviolence in the nation, rather than engaging in protest.
The Buddhist Peace Walks started in 1992, known as the Dhammayietra walk, or the walk of truth. They walked not to protest, but to bring awareness and to spread positivity to the world. The people they passed were also allowed to give them gifts and food, sometimes even shelter from the weather if it was bad.
The very first Walk For Peace dates all the way back to the 5th century BCE. It took place in India and was led by Buddha himself. Buddha is a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. They were a walking community. They taught compassion during a time when war was frequent. They aim to embody non-violence, simplicity and freedom. The modern monks were inspired by them and started walking, too.
During the recent walk, they had a dog with them. The dog’s name was Aloka. The dog was originally a stray in India, but the monks took him in and brought him to the walk as a symbol of peace. He recently had surgery in January on his leg because he was hit by a car. He is having a slow and careful recovery in South Carolina, and he is receiving physical therapy.
As the monks walked through towns and passed many people, they were often given gifts. Some people offered flowers, while others offered dog food for Aloka. Others just offered their respect by bowing to them. Some people also offered them food for their journey to Washington, D.C. These contributions help the monks further the range of their message of peace, mindfulness, and non-violence, for many to see.