Sometimes, the greatest peace can be found in the deepest silence. 

A sense of stillness can be achieved in the midst of chaos.

And despite the constant shouts and yells ever present in society, tranquility can be fulfilled when one seeks the quiet.  

These facts have become evident to those following the 2,300 mile pilgrimage of 19 Buddhist monks.

In their 110 day “Walk for Peace” from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C., the traveling Buddhist monks have paved, with each step, a trail of peace for others to follow.

Through silent travels, they have given society a glimpse into the serenity found through silence and stillness, and have given to all the hope that peace is possible.

About the Monks

On Oct. 26, 19 Buddhist monks departed from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center at Fort Worth and embarked upon a journey that has captivated millions. By foot, the monks have journeyed through rain, snow, and ice 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. and the Maryland area. They have made frequent stops along their way to give insightful speeches, sharing their mission and answering the public’s questions.

The monks walk for peace. They walk as an example of unity and compassion, promoting such ideals through non-violence. They are proof that change is possible without brutality or through harsh methods. 

The monks encourage mindfulness and exhibit the beauty and calmness found in the quiet.

Despite adversity, such as the occasion in which one monk was tragically hit by a car, the monks and their dog Aloka continued relentlessly on their long and tireless voyage. 

The monks have passed through popular towns and cities in each state they have ventured through, and on Jan. 24, the monks were in Raleigh.

January 24

The day was frigid, the wind brutal. The condensation upon the tin top of a can of soda froze within minutes of being outside, and the liquid inside it froze to slush within the hour. 

It was the day before the snow and ice, and Raleigh was filled with the precursors of a winter storm.

But despite the frozen air, I, along with hundreds of other civilians who gathered at Dorothea Dix Park, were warmed by hearts full of peace, joy, and hope.

Have you ever walked with a monk?

The answer for most is likely no. And until Jan. 24, neither had I, nor had I ever expected to as it wasn’t until the monks arrived locally that I was even aware of their journey.

In the cold winter air my friend and I waited on Blair Drive with the others. In our arms, we bore purple flowers as a gift for the monks. It was a custom to give the monks flowers, for they then redistributed them to other patient supporters. They were under vows of poverty, meaning they could not keep much for themselves. 

My friend and I jumped and swayed and hopped in efforts to maintain some warmth, and we contributed to the buzz of chatter that filled the air around us. 

And then, we saw the first signs that the monks were near. 

First were the bright blue, red, and white lights of the police cars and motorcycles that encircled them. Then in the distance, the bronze colored habits of the monks were visible. 

The closer they came, the more silent the crowd grew.  When they reached us, my friend and I handed them their flowers and received new ones in turn.

“Thank you,” we whispered, our voices barely audible in efforts to keep the quiet undisturbed. I offered the monks a smile to which some returned as they passed. When my eyes met theirs, I felt seen and respected in an exchange so foreign between two strangers, for it was one of peace and kindness. Once they passed us, we and hundreds of others, walked 0.8 miles with the monks, to their destination of the All Faiths Chapel. 

“We need them in a time like this, don’t we?”

The crowd swarmed with hundreds of people, all following the line of monks and the police force like a silent parade. 

We were a following composed of differences. 

Among us, there were the elderly, presumably searching for hope in a world where they had witnessed change for the better and the worse.

There were the youth, toddlers whom this day of peace would likely be one of their first ever recollections of childhood. 

There were teenagers like my friend and I, who were just now learning about the world we live in, just now growing with appreciation for the good and disappointment for the bad. 

There were people being pushed in wheelchairs, who although they did not possess the capabilities to walk themselves, still managed to join the cause. 

There were couples, friends, families, people by themselves. 

There were people of every race. 

There were people of different societal classes.

There were people of different nationalities. 

There were so many different people, but we were all people.

We couldn’t have been more different, and yet we were united by peace. 

With all of the current events of society, this peace and unification was a breath of fresh air. It was beautiful. Everyone there was on a different stage in their journey of life, yet our paths crossed, however briefly, for peace. For just a day, all of us were brought together by the monks and together, we were all a part of the ‘Walk for Peace’.

“We need them in a time like this, don’t we?” I heard one man say to his friend quietly while we walked. And he couldn’t have captured the essence of the occasion better. 

The Purpose of Peace 

The monks are a living symbol of peace. Their kindness and compassion are a much needed example for our world. 

To experience and walk with the monks was beyond words, but equally as impactful was seeing how many people were gathered to support them. 

It was a hopeful reminder that there are people who care. 

My friend and I were among hundreds of strangers, with a few familiar faces sprinkled in as well (Like former Gibbons teacher Ms. Bothe!). And we were all united for the purpose of peace.