ANNAPOLIS, MD — A dedicated group of Theravada Buddhist monks, who have walked over 2,000 miles and gained millions of followers on social media, arrived in Annapolis on Thursday to share their message of compassion and mindfulness.
As they completed the final leg of their “Walk for Peace,” the monks were greeted with cheers from supporters who lined the sidewalks and medians of Rowe Boulevard and Bladen Street.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller would host the monks for an interfaith discussion at the Maryland State House before they returned to Fort Worth, Texas, where their journey began.
“In a world that often feels divided and overwhelming, your walk serves as a reminder that peace and compassion start within each of us,” Miller stated. “One step at a time.”
Check out a video of the monks arriving in Annapolis below:
The walk on Thursday commenced at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and concluded at Lawyer’s Mall, where Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara addressed the gathered crowd.
Pannakara, who serves as the vice president of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, led the entire peace walk from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., and finally to Annapolis.
The monks were transported to the Maryland capital ahead of Thursday’s event.
“I thought yesterday was our final day,” Pannakara remarked. “But after receiving the invitation from Maryland, we feel honored to be here this morning.”
“Thank you for your warmth, support, and hospitality,” he added.
Annapolis marked the 110th day of their extensive journey, which continued despite challenging weather conditions and a traffic incident near Houston that injured two monks.
Although Maryland was initially part of their “Walk for Peace” route, scheduling conflicts had led to a change.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Pannakara expressed. “Maryland was on our list from the beginning, and now, at the end, it is still part of our journey.”
“It seems meant for all of us to meet,” he concluded.
A total of 19 monks, along with their dog Aloka and numerous volunteers, took part in the walk, which officially began on October 26, with the goal of reaching the nation’s capital by February 10. Despite a few obstacles, they successfully met their deadline on Tuesday.
After the interfaith discussion with Miller and the Council on Interfaith Outreach, the monks departed by bus back to Fort Worth.
You can follow the monks’ journey on the Walk for Peace Facebook page, and there’s also an Aloka the Peace Dog Facebook page for fans.
