A determined group of Buddhist monks has now passed the halfway milestone on an extraordinary 2,300-mile trek across the United States, a profound journey dedicated to promoting universal peace, loving kindness, and compassion.
A Journey of Resilience and Devotion
On Saturday, marking their 83rd day on the road, the 18 monks were progressing through North Carolina. Their remarkable pilgrimage, titled the Walk for Peace, commenced on 26 October from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas. Since setting off, they have traversed Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, drawing significant public attention at each state capitol they visit.
Leading the group is the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, who is undertaking the entire journey barefoot. His commitment is mirrored by two other monks adhering to a rigorous Buddhist practice known as dhutanga. This ascetic discipline means they are permitted only three postures—walking, standing, or sitting—for the entire three-month trek, never lying down, even to sleep.
"They sit down in a meditation position, and they meditate all night. And that’s how they replenish their energy," explained Neeraj Bajracharya, the walk's government liaison and press coordinator.
Overcoming Adversity on the Road
The path has not been without serious challenges. Just three weeks into the walk, a tragic accident occurred when a truck struck the group's escort vehicle, propelling it into two monks. One monk tragically lost his leg in the incident, reducing the core walking group to 18, though Bajracharya reports the injured monk is "doing fine."
Paññākāra's own barefoot journey has been physically taxing, with his feet requiring heavy bandaging daily to treat injuries from rocks, nails, and glass on American roads—a terrain he finds more challenging than during a previous 112-day barefoot walk across India in 2022.
Even the walk's canine companion, Aloka—a dog whose name means "divine light" in Sanskrit and who was rescued by Paññākāra in India—faced hardship. The pet aggravated a pre-existing leg injury and recently underwent surgery in South Carolina. In a heartwarming moment captured on social media, Aloka rejoined the monks in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday, tail wagging vigorously.
A Mission for National Recognition and Unity
The monks' ultimate destination is Washington DC, where they plan to petition Congress for a significant recognition. Their goal is for the US government to officially acknowledge Vesak, the day commemorating the Buddha's birth and enlightenment, as a federal holiday.
"We are planning to go to Washington DC, because Washington DC is the heart of the nation," Bajracharya stated. "By reaching to the heart of the nation, we believe that we can reach to the heart of all Americans across the United States."
The walk has resonated deeply with the public, both on the ground and online. Their social media channels have amassed over a million followers, with individual posts garnering hundreds of thousands of likes. "It’s amazing how the response has been. We are getting calls from all over the world," Bajracharya noted.
He emphasised the core purpose of the endeavour: "The foundational stone of this initiative is peace, unity, compassion and healing. And we want to reach out to each and every individual in America." As they continue their arduous trek towards the capital, these monks carry a simple yet powerful message they hope will echo across the nation.
