Buddhist Monks Conclude Inspiring ‘Walk for Peace’ on National Mall

On a sunny afternoon in Washington, D.C., a procession of Buddhist monks gracefully descended upon the National Mall, marking the culmination of their “Walk for Peace.” This remarkable journey, which spanned 109 days and began in Fort Worth, Texas, ended in front of the iconic Lincoln Memorial.

At the heart of this pilgrimage was Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, who led the devoted group across an impressive 2,300 miles. Speaking to the thousands assembled, he delivered a poignant message about the rapid pace of life.

“Ladies and gentlemen, life moves very fast,” Pannakara expressed. “In mere seconds, we can inflict hurt, utter regrettable words, or add to the burden of a world already weary.”

He continued, “Yet in those same fleeting moments, if we approach them with care, we can lay the foundation for peace. Today, I urge you not to dwell on grand ideas but instead to live just five seconds with mindfulness.”

The journey, which commenced on October 26, saw 24 monks traverse eight states, braving the harshness of winter along the way. Their trek captured the nation’s attention, with live updates on social media drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to witness their message of peace.

Supporters at the mall on Wednesday held up flowers and signs in support of the travelers with messages including “Peaceful resistance” and “Mindfulness powers peace.”

The group’s government liaison and press coordinator, Dr. Neeraj Bajracharya, said D.C. is “not the final destination” and urged the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday to take the walk’s message of peace with them.

“The walk for peace is going to continue,” Bajracharya said. “Washington, D.C., is not the final stop because the walk towards peace must continue.”

Several supporters at the Wednesday event in D.C. traveled to the capital city to witness the walk in person.

Tom and Donna Haddon traveled from Nags Head, N.C. They held up a floral cardboard peace sign as they waited for the closing ceremony on the mall on Wednesday.

Tom Haddon called the Lincoln Memorial a “fitting place” to end the walk. 

“The world is in a point of crisis, and this is such a positive message and I think it’s galvanized a lot of people,” he said. “Hopefully, the politicians somehow hear this, in some way, and we’re here because we don’t want any more war.”

Donna Haddon said they previously saw the group passing through Richmond, Va., and Dunwoody, Ga., and that she’s met other supporters who traveled to D.C. from California, Chicago and New Jersey to see the monks finish out their walk.

On Thursday, the group will reach their ninth state, Maryland, where they will board a bus back to Texas. Upon their arrival in Fort Worth on Saturday, the monks will complete their final 6 miles to the walk’s origin point.

Martha Brettschneider, a supporter from Vienna, Va., who joined the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday, called the monks’ journey “very inspiring and very hopeful.”

“It’s really a message of hope, and we’ve got this,” Brettschneider said. “And they are the ultimate reminder of that.”

Hundreds of supporters lined up along the mall to watch the walkers as they passed by. 

Timothy Bullock, a Buddhist monk based in D.C., walked alongside the group on the sidewalk. Bullock said he’s participated in several peace walks himself. 

“It does take a lot to get up every day, especially in this very cold weather and to set out, but I think that the energy of the people along the way really helps to fuel them and give them the strength to move on, to make that next step,” he said. 

Bullock noted the significance of the walk ending in D.C. during a turbulent time in American politics. 

“If there’s anywhere in the U.S. that could benefit from a huge spark of spiritual energy, and especially peaceful energy, it’s Washington, D.C.”

Pannakara ended his Wednesday speech by thanking everyone who supported the monks along their journey, including the local officials and law enforcement agencies in each state they traveled through. 

“Thank you for all the love, all of the hospitality, all of your support, even in bad conditions, in bad weather, freezing weather, cold rain,” Pannakara said.

“Thank you so much, and this moment will live with me for the rest of my life.”