“Walk for Peace” where monks brave the winter storm
A group of Buddhist monks continues their “Path of Peace” from Texas to Washington, D.C. despite harsh winter conditions.
The monks, who began their 2,300-mile Peace Walk in October, are still making their way to Washington despite severe winter storms.
Their march began on October 26th in Fort Worth, Texas. Monks led by Pannakara Bhikkhu, The Phong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center native will have walked through 10 states before reaching the capital. They were in North Carolina when the bitter cold hit over the weekend, where they were greeted by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
A group of 19 monks is making their way through the state with their faithful dog Aloka, trudging through roads covered in snow, sleet and ice.
Watch scenes from their walk in the video at the top of this story.
Governor Stein: “We want to come together”
Speaking on the steps of the state Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, Jan. 24, Stein said the monks are an inspiration at a time when so many people need inspiration.
“We live in a time of partisan rancor and political discord,” Stein said. “In our hearts, we don’t want to be wary of our neighbors. We want to come together. Thank you for reminding us of that.”
The governor designated January 24th as “Walking for Peace Day” in honor of the visitors.
In a blog post, the monks said they were grateful to the thousands of people who braved subzero temperatures to see the sighting.
“Today, surrounded by white snow and bitterly cold conditions, we saw something even more clearly: the warm faces of people who care. Their kindness stood out like a light in the darkness in a frozen landscape, reminding us why we walk, why it matters and why we keep walking,” they said.
Photos sent by the group showed residents greeting each other with snacks and flowers. Some monks wrapped bracelets around children’s wrists as a symbol of peace.
Buddhist monk suspends visiting hours due to weather
The group announced that due to inclement weather there will be no visiting hours on Monday, Jan. 26, and the visiting location will remain private to maintain the safety of well-wishers. The monks had previously scheduled peace talks during their lunch break.
“We urge all supporters from near and far to adhere to local official weather information and prioritize safety. These rough and unpredictable weather and road conditions remain a serious concern.”
“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we weather these difficult weather conditions together. Your safety is our top priority,” the monks said in a Facebook post.
How to track the monks’ journey
You can follow the monks’ journey here. A summary map of upcoming stops is available here.
The group will enter Virginia later this week and then head to the nation’s capital.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
