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A group of 19 Buddhist monks led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara brought a 108-day Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington with a Wednesday afternoon ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial, where thousands gathered to hear them speak. The monks said the journey’s final day reflected what they have presented throughout—an appeal for mindfulness and compassion rather than a political demonstration.
From the start of the trip in Fort Worth, Texas, the monks traveled for 15 weeks, covering about 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) across several Southern states. Organizers said the group walked single file at times, including Wednesday morning under bright blue skies, while crowds formed behind them and along parts of the route.
At the Lincoln Memorial, Pannakara urged the crowd to practice mindfulness and to choose kindness, compassion, love, harmony and hope. “The Walk for Peace is not a protest, it is not to convert,” Pannakara said, according to the account of the remarks, adding, “It’s a reminder that hope still exists when people are willing to care. Hope is the final light that must never go out.”
The monks’ trek drew attention across the country and beyond, with supporters following online as they posted messages in multiple languages. The group said that more than 21,000 people watched the livestream from around the globe during the Washington segment, including messages in Spanish, Hindi, Thai, Portuguese and Sinhalese.
Earlier Wednesday, the monks’ route included an appearance near George Washington University, where they later moved toward Capitol Hill. As the group approached the Peace Monument, they were greeted by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to the report.
Pannakara walked barefoot on Wednesday, holding his staff in one hand and a long-stemmed yellow rose in the other. His robe was covered in pins given by municipal and law enforcement officials the monks met during the journey, and people along the sidewalks shouted “thank you” and “we love you” as the monks acknowledged them with smiles and waves.
Before Wednesday’s closing ceremony, the monks also held interfaith conversations after stops at American University and the Washington National Cathedral, where thousands thronged to hear Pannakara speak about mindfulness and loving kindness. On Tuesday and through their Washington days, other monks and nuns joined them, with about 100 additional religious participants following the walk on Wednesday morning.
The group’s message also reached beyond the U.S., as several monks representing Buddhists in Canada, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand commended the journey. Venerable Ratanaguna, abbot of the Fort Worth temple and Pannakara’s teacher, said he was happy to see the walk bring together a diverse group in Washington, and Tencho Gyatso—described as the niece of the 14th Dalai Lama—read a commendation from the 90-year-old monk appreciating the monks’ commitment to “promote national healing, unity and compassion.” The Dalai Lama said in the statement, “Their initiative illustrates how religious practitioners can contribute in a constructive way to social harmony and public dialogue.”
The walk has included serious setbacks along the route, including an accident outside Houston in November when the group’s escort vehicle was hit by a truck. Two monks were injured, and Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan had his leg amputated; Phommasan later rejoined near Washington and entered American University’s arena in a wheelchair, walking with the group on their way to the Capitol.
During Wednesday’s closing ceremony, Pannakara gave Phommasan the floor. Phommasan told the crowd he was feeling cold but said the presence of others made his “heart warm,” and he described practicing mindfulness as helping him face the difficult moments after the accident and amputation with equanimity, while thanking Pannakara for teaching him to be strong.
After their arrival on Capitol Hill, the monks said they planned to return to Texas with a less arduous trip, including an appearance at the Maryland State House followed by a bus ride back to Fort Worth. Organizers said the group expects to arrive downtown Fort Worth early Saturday and then walk about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) together to the temple where the journey began.