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(Glen Allen) Around twenty Buddhist monks made an ambitious bet: to cross the United States to spread a message of unity, far from the political tensions shaking the country.
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On Tuesday, in Richmond, Virginia, dozens of residents came to see them march in single file in the cold through this northeastern city.
This “March for Peace” began in October, in Texas, and is due to reach the American capital, Washington, in the coming days, a march of 3,700 kilometers across eight American states.
Since the start of their journey, thousands of people have come to greet the monks as they pass by, like Louella Glessner, 62 years old. She sees this march as a way to unite Americans, as divisions between citizens continue to worsen since Donald Trump’s return to power a year ago.
“I’m Christian, but I think this whole concept is great,” she told AFP, before the monks arrived at a Buddhist temple.
“This is what the country needs. We need peace and to find commonalities between us all,” she believes.
The procession has been walking for more than 100 days and has already completed more than 90% of the route, experiencing unexpected success during its passage.
The Facebook page of this “March for Peace” has 2.5 million subscribers and their videos have more than 100 million views.
Gifts and blessings
Bhikkhu Pannakara, a Vietnamese monk whose saffron-colored stole is covered with badges offered by the sheriffs of the counties who welcomed them and secured the roads, leads the way.
He gave a speech to 10,000 people at a North Carolina stadium two weeks ago, calling on spectators to avoid “chasing materialism” and abandon thoughts of greed, anger and hatred.
When the monks visit Richmond, locals kneel and offer them fruit, while they offer gifts and blessings in return. Children give them flowers and greet them shyly.
Buddhist monks, from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, among others, sleep during their journey in churches or university campuses.
“Right now, we just need something positive,” says Sarah Peyton, who came to see them in Richmond with her two children.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can come here and just have a calming experience.” »
“No one is pulling anyone out of cars, no one is screaming, no one is angry. Everyone is just there, in the moment,” she adds.
But the walk is not without its mishaps. A monk was hit by a vehicle in a road accident in November and had to have his leg amputated.
“Our walking in itself cannot create peace,” the monks wrote in a publication.
“But when someone meets us… When our message touches something deep within them, when it awakens the peace that has always lived quietly in their heart, something sacred is revealed. »
The monks are scheduled to arrive in Washington on February 10.
Will their march change anything? Louella Glessner hopes it will help Americans think with compassion and humility.
