Walking for Peace and What We Can Do

Photo Credit: WRAL News

Have you heard about the Buddhist monks walking for peace across the United States?

On October 26, nearly two dozen monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, led by Bhikkhu Pannakara, began their walk for a total of 2,300 miles to promote national healing, unity, and compassion. They expect to end their journey on February 12. The center in Fort Worth is the future site of a Buddhist temple, the most ambitious project ever undertaken in our country that will span 14 acres and feature 840 stupas or Buddhist monuments. 

Bhikkhu Pannakara is the spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace and is quick to assert it is not a protest but rather, “a meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities and society as a whole.”

“The monks are crossing ten states, stopping at state capitols, historic landmarks, and local communities to share their message and invite moments of reflection,” according to an article in one newspaper following the Walk. “This walk is more than a journey; it’s a heartfelt offering to the community,” said Dr. Neeraj Bajracharya, general secretary of the Nepalese Buddhist Association. “A Walk for Peace invites all people regardless of faith, culture or background to come together in the spirit of compassion, mutual respect and understanding.”

And draw together all kinds of people is just what they’ve been doing. Hundreds of people joined them for some of the journey for at least a few miles. Hundreds more greeted them in local gathering places and offered hot drinks and simple food. Children especially were drawn to these gatherings with one person saying how refreshing it was to see signs encouraging kindness and to hear words of welcome without the vitriol of political gatherings. At one point, however, a truck veered into the line of walkers hitting two monks causing one to lose his leg. The other rejoined the Walk after he recovered. 

It is touching to see on various social media platforms the determination of the monks to make this Walk for Peace. They are smiling. They are stopping to pray. They are giving flowers to children. They are blessing people. Some are wearing heavy clothing, shoes, and hats, but three are walking barefoot! In one community auditorium, the leader told thousands who came: “There is no world peace until there is inner peace.”  At another stop a monk speaker taught the hundreds in attendance the prayerful attitude of mindfulness. Their dog Aloka, whom they found as a stray in India accompanies them even though he had to undergo leg surgery along the way. 

It will be interesting to see how the city of their destination, Washington, D.C., welcomes them. 

In another piece of news about faith in action, three American Cardinals have written a statement for Americans and especially the current administration, regarding the threats to use war, and the inhumane treatment of migrants and refugees. You can find their brief but direct statement on the website of The National Catholic Reporter. The statement is meant for the American public, so it was released to major media outlets and was written by Robert McElroy of Washington, DC., Blaise Cupich of Chicago and Joseph Tobin, CSsR, of Newark. These leaders demonstrate strong courage to challenge the present practices of our government and to say, in no uncertain terms, what the Gospel demands of us, especially in perilous times. I think they are very much, also, in sync with Pope Leo on these issues.

They say, for instance, “As pastors and citizens we renounce war as an instrument for narrow national interests and proclaim that military actions must be seen only as a last resort in extreme situations, not as a normal instrument of national policy.” They advocate the protection of human life, religious liberty, and dignity over partisan issues. 

Reflection

So often we Christians, and other religions as well, are confronted with a vacuous, seemingly helpless reality. What can we do in the face of injustice and evil which we confront? After years of personal advocacy, I have concluded the best ways are:

1. If you can join a group in your parish or another faith-based community that is active in opposing the injustice in the treatment of migrants, join the group now!
2. If you can initiate prayer sessions for such persons and if you can include the people who have suffered from the treatment of law enforcers, do it now!
3. If you can pray and make sacrifices on behalf of peace, do it now!
4. If you can invite people to study groups with the suggestion of pertinent actions to take, do it now!

You may have other ideas as well—ways to galvanize your public to respond to what the Monks and the Cardinals are encouraging us to do. You may think of other things to do; so, get busy and share them with friends. As the Cardinals concluded their statement, “Our moral role is for the first time in years being challenged.” Let’s get to work and make some hard decisions.

As you include all this in your prayer, know that I think of all of you, my faithful readers, and wish the very best for you in your faith.