Today, the venerable monks from Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, arrived at the State House in Annapolis, carrying their messages of national unity, compassion, and inner peace.
Arduous distance peace walks have long been a part of certain Buddhist traditions. This particular journey, aptly named Walk for Peace, began in October and has covered 2,300 miles. Although the walk officially ended in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 11, a final short walk—from Navy-Marine Corps Stadium to the State House in Annapolis—was later announced.
The monks have walked in all weather, including recent record-breaking cold, sometimes in bare feet, often with their rescue pup, Aloka. Two of the members were injured by a car accident, one so severely he had his leg amputated. Still, they walked.
Along the way they garnered innumerable followers—online and in-person—who found a balm in their humble walk and hope in their message of peace for all beings and the world.
Having been profoundly touched by following the journey on social media, the extended walk to Maryland felt like the universe sending me a message: Go. I was not the only one. Annapolis was in a state of complete gridlock as thousands crammed in the tiny state capitol. But everyone was in a joyful mood.
Then, there was a peek of saffron robes amongst the crowd as the monks finally appeared with their leader, the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara. You knew they had arrived by the silence.
An absolutely reverent quiet fell over everyone. Aside from the chirp of a police vehicle keeping the way clear, you could hear nothing but people quietly saying “thank you” and the shuffle of feet—that of the monks and the many people who fell in step behind them on their way to a final peace gathering, attended by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and other dignitaries, at the State House.
In a time when everything and everyone seems loud and angry, to bear witness to that brief moment of respectful quiet in community with so many others clearly craving inner and outer peace was deeply moving. I was brought to tears.