Monks’ Walk for Peace ends in praise in Washington

The monks have finally arrived in the nation’s capital, after 108 days.

A group of Buddhist monks reached the District on footon  Tuesday in their Walk for Peace, ending the 2,300-mile trek that began in Texas.

They reached the Washington National Cathedral in their single-file ensemble, greeted by a chorus of cheers, before finishing their route at the National Mall.

More than 1,100 onlookers lined their route leading to the grand entrance of the cathedral, offering flowers, heartfelt thanks and applause before a quiet settled over the crowd — a respite from everyday political tensions.

The leader of the walk, the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, stood in front of the steps lined with interfaith leaders to counsel the crowd into being mindful of peace.

“Peace is something that we’ve been looking for so long,” he said. “Peace is something that we are seeking for so many years. Yet we still have to find it. We cannot find it. It’s been with us. It never left us. It’s just that we cannot see it.”

“You have locked it and put them in the box, and you have left it somewhere. We are not walking from Fort Worth, Texas, towards the D.C. to bring you any peace, but to raise awareness of peace so that you can unlock that box and free it,” he said.

He coaxed the crowd into chanting together: “Today is going to be my peaceful day.”

Secretary of D.C. Kimberly Bassett presented a proclamation for the journey of compassion.

The original 19 monks departed from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth on Oct. 26, coming from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the globe.

In their mostly barefoot trek — battling sores, blisters and snow — the monks braved turmoil. From below-freezing temperatures amid a monumental winter storm, protests and a highway crash that resulted in one monk’s leg being amputated, they pressed onward.

Some spectators who greeted them on Tuesday had never set foot in the District, others had not visited since their 8th-grade capital field trip, and many more marked the event as a quick day trip to partake in the quiet march that has become a national symbol of peace.

Alison Swietek handed out chrysanthemums on behalf of an immigrant and activist named Fatema so that people could gift the flowers to the monks as they quietly trudged through the crowd.

“It’s going to be really hard not to cry when they show up,” she said. “I think just because the state of everything right now is so upsetting, and you want people to come together. And this is a perfect way to bring so many people together from all different religions. That’s beautiful.”

Ron Guidry and his wife, Lenore, came from Silver Spring as an act of joining the monks’ demonstration of peace.

Mr. Guidry said that their message is that “everybody is precious and valuable in God’s eyes, and we certainly need that message today.”

Two New Jersey women, Tracy Voacolo and Tina Alessi, made the trip to Washington solely to see the monks finish their journey.

Ms. Alessi said their message of peace in a time of political turmoil resonates with her.

When asked what she would say to the monks, given the opportunity, she said, “Just ’Thank you.’”

“Deep from the heart, thank you for bringing people together that want to help spread the message,” she said.

The monks preached a simple calling — peace — that enthralled spectators across the country, transcending ideologies and personal differences.

The walk is not a political movement, but a “spiritual offering — an invitation to live peace through everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts,” said Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the monks’ temple.

“We believe when peace is cultivated within, it naturally ripples outward into society,” he said.

Rolf Erga of New Jersey came with his wife to photograph the event and support the message behind the monk’s movement.

“I hope that people realize we don’t have to be left, we don’t have to be right,” he said. “We can actually come together, find common ground and work together to come to a solution.”

After 15 weeks, the monks will make an appearance at Maryland’s Capitol in Annapolis on Thursday before taking a bus back to Texas.