Buddhist Monks Complete 15-Week 'Walk for Peace' in Washington D.C.
A group of 19 Buddhist monks from around the world arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, completing a 2,300-mile journey from Texas that has captured the hearts of Americans across the country. The monks, led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, walked single file across a bridge over the Potomac River to mark the end of their 15-week trek.
The monks' message of peace and mindfulness has resonated with thousands of people who gathered along Southern roadsides to watch them pass by. Despite facing challenges such as snow, cold, and near-misses with trucks, the monks persevered, often walking barefoot or in socks to feel the ground directly.
Their journey was not without controversy, however. Two monks were injured when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck outside Houston, and one monk had his leg amputated. Nevertheless, the walk has been hailed as a powerful symbol of peace and compassion in a divided America.
The monks plan to spend two days in Washington, attending events such as an interfaith reception at Washington National Cathedral and meeting with lawmakers to advocate for the declaration of Vesak - Buddha's birthday - as a national holiday.
For many Americans, the monks' visit has been a welcome respite from the polarization and conflict that seems to dominate the news. "In these divisive times, we saw entire towns in the Bible Belt coming out for these monks - having no idea of what Buddhism is - but being uplifted and moved by it," said Mark Duykers, a retired mechanical engineer who practices mindfulness.
As the monks prepare to return to Texas, they are leaving behind a legacy of peace and compassion that will be remembered for years to come. Their message is simple yet profound: if we can cultivate peace within ourselves, it will naturally radiate outward into our communities and society as a whole.
The trek has had its perils, but the monks have shown remarkable resilience and determination in their pursuit of a more peaceful world. As they complete their 108 days of walking, they are leaving behind a sacred number that represents spiritual completion, cosmic order, and the wholeness of existence.
As the Buddhist saying goes, "Peace is not something that can be forced on others - it must be cultivated within ourselves." The monks' journey is a testament to the power of mindfulness and compassion in creating a more peaceful world.
A group of 19 Buddhist monks from around the world arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, completing a 2,300-mile journey from Texas that has captured the hearts of Americans across the country. The monks, led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, walked single file across a bridge over the Potomac River to mark the end of their 15-week trek.
The monks' message of peace and mindfulness has resonated with thousands of people who gathered along Southern roadsides to watch them pass by. Despite facing challenges such as snow, cold, and near-misses with trucks, the monks persevered, often walking barefoot or in socks to feel the ground directly.
Their journey was not without controversy, however. Two monks were injured when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck outside Houston, and one monk had his leg amputated. Nevertheless, the walk has been hailed as a powerful symbol of peace and compassion in a divided America.
The monks plan to spend two days in Washington, attending events such as an interfaith reception at Washington National Cathedral and meeting with lawmakers to advocate for the declaration of Vesak - Buddha's birthday - as a national holiday.
For many Americans, the monks' visit has been a welcome respite from the polarization and conflict that seems to dominate the news. "In these divisive times, we saw entire towns in the Bible Belt coming out for these monks - having no idea of what Buddhism is - but being uplifted and moved by it," said Mark Duykers, a retired mechanical engineer who practices mindfulness.
As the monks prepare to return to Texas, they are leaving behind a legacy of peace and compassion that will be remembered for years to come. Their message is simple yet profound: if we can cultivate peace within ourselves, it will naturally radiate outward into our communities and society as a whole.
The trek has had its perils, but the monks have shown remarkable resilience and determination in their pursuit of a more peaceful world. As they complete their 108 days of walking, they are leaving behind a sacred number that represents spiritual completion, cosmic order, and the wholeness of existence.
As the Buddhist saying goes, "Peace is not something that can be forced on others - it must be cultivated within ourselves." The monks' journey is a testament to the power of mindfulness and compassion in creating a more peaceful world.
! It's amazing how their message of peace and mindfulness resonated with so many people, even if they didn't know much about Buddhism beforehand. I mean, it just goes to show that compassion and kindness can cross cultural boundaries and bring us all together 
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. It's a powerful reminder that we can overcome obstacles when we focus on cultivating peace within ourselves 
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. And I love what Mark Duykers said about how the monks' visit was a welcome respite from all the polarization and conflict in the news 
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. It's a reminder that we can create positive change in our communities by spreading love and kindness 
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but seriously, 2,300 miles is insane! I mean I'd rather be stuck in traffic on the highway than walk that far barefoot... 
and yeah the message of peace and mindfulness is really resonating with ppl right now. gotta admit, it's kinda nice to see a movement come together without all the drama and polarization 
are the best medicine for a divided America. Who needs politics when you can just walk barefoot and feel the ground beneath your feet? 
...but at the same time, I gotta keep it real – these monks are putting themselves through some crazy stuff for a cause that's hard to swallow sometimes 
. 2,300 miles is no joke! You got people walking barefoot in freezing temperatures, almost getting hit by trucks...it's wild how dedicated they were to their message.
. What's gonna happen when these monks return to Texas? Are we gonna keep hearing about this walk for years to come? Or is this just a fleeting moment of good vibes that'll fade away? Time will tell, but one thing's for sure – it's been inspiring to see these monks show us what compassion and resilience really look like 
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, now let's keep the peace vibes flowing 
... Like, I get it, they're trying to spread love and all that jazz, but can't they just drive like everyone else? 2,300 miles on foot is just crazy talk! And don't even get me started on the whole "being one with nature" thing - what about people who need a ride or have mobility issues? It's not exactly inclusive. I mean, I'm all for mindfulness and self-cultivation, but not when it means you're gonna leave everyone else behind like they're just dust particles in the wind... 
! I mean, can you even imagine doing that? It's like, they were walking barefoot or in socks on some of the roads, which is just crazy 
. And yeah, there were some tough moments, like when their escort car got hit by a truck outside Houston 
. But despite all that, they kept going and spreading this amazing message of peace and mindfulness.
, but the monks' visit has been a really positive vibe. Seeing people from different towns in the Bible Belt showing up to support them and learning about Buddhism along the way 
their message is so powerful i love how they walked barefoot for days just to feel the ground, reminds me that sometimes we overcomplicate life with shoes and expectations 
link about these monks who walked 2k miles from Texas to DC for peace... they're so inspiring 
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i love how americans came out supportin them even if they dont no much about buddhism its like they could feel the vibe or somethin its been a while since we needed someone to tell us that we can be peaceful & compassionate too
Mindfulness is soooo needed right now. The fact that they walked barefoot or in socks to feel the ground is so cool! It's like they're one with nature 
More mindfulness and compassion, please!!!
I gotta say, these 19 monks from around the world just walked 2,300 miles across the country with nothin but a bunch of luggage and their faith... it's kinda mind blowin' when you think about it. I mean, I've had my fair share of long hikes, but this is on a whole different level. And to think they did it all barefoot or in socks! That takes some serious dedication to feel the ground beneath your feet. I'm sure it wasn't easy, especially with all the challenges they faced like snow and trucks tryin' to hit 'em. But you know what? They kept goin', and that's somethin' we can all learn from.
! 19 monks from diff places around the world walking 2300 miles thru snow & cold 2 prove peace & mindfulness sounds like super cool lesson 4 us students 2! i bet they faced lots of challenges but they didnt give up, that's literally what we need 2 do 2 get thru exams n stuff 
...and we're all just here for it. I mean, 2,300 miles is no joke, especially when you're doing it barefoot or in socks. Like, don't they have flip flops or something? Anyway, I think it's awesome that people are coming out to support them, even if some of us still have no idea what Buddhism is 
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