My Reflection on a Few Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace

In this 21st century, while science and technology are rapidly transforming the direction of our world in frightening ways and political leaders and authoritarian powers continue to impose domination by force, people rise up in protest, expressing their rejection of oppression across the globe. In particular, powerful nations and their leaders, acting in their own interests, bully weaker and smaller countries through humiliation, invasion, and coercion. By flaunting nuclear and military might, they heap suffering upon countless vulnerable people, plunging them into misery and fear, leaving them helpless and terrified.

At such a moment, witnessing some Buddhist monks who are universally admired and deeply cherished
by the faithful, undertaking a march for world peace has brought immense joy to my heart. Wearing maroon and saffron robes, carrying alms bowls in their hands, and walking barefoot from the U.S. state of Texas to Washington, D.C., they advance step by step for the sake of global peace. Seeing images and videos of this journey shared widely on social media has filled me with profound happiness.

As human beings, each one of us desires happiness and wishes to avoid suffering. As members of a single human community sharing one planet, we are one global family living together due to our karmic interdependence. The responsibility for this family’s happiness and suffering does not depend on religion, nationality, gender, race, or whether one is a monastic or a layperson, it belongs equally to all of us.

This time, a group of Buddhist monks, without being urged by anyone, have voluntarily transcended the narrow boundaries of their own religious institutions and communities and ignoring hardship and exhaustion, have embarked on a walking pilgrimage for world peace. This is truly a timely and admirable deed. These barefooted monks walking in an orderly procession is not something unprecedented. More than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha himself, accompanied by his enlightened disciples, carried alms bowls, wore simple robes, and walked barefoot from town to town across India, practicing alms rounds. During those times, they endured intense heat, cold, wind, rain, snake bites, insect stings, and thorns piercing their feet. Yet while facing such hardships, the Buddha taught the gathered monks and laypeople the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path consists of:

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

Likewise, among the monks participating in this present march, one suffered a severe accident after being struck by a vehicle and had to have his leg amputated. Moreover, during this harsh winter, they endure cold winds, rain, snow, and heavy traffic while walking barefoot through ice and snow, dressed only in thin maroon and saffron robes. Witnessing them continue their journey across multiple U.S. states under such conditions for the sake of global peace is truly astonishing and deeply moving.

Wherever these monks arrive across different states and locations, they are welcomed by thousands of people, regardless of religion, race, gender, or skin color. People greet them holding flowers and symbols of peace. This clearly demonstrates that all human beings share the same fundamental wish to seek happiness and avoid suffering. Along the way, the monks speak to those who welcome them, conveying teachings in line with the Buddha’s message, often in simple English:

“The world is one family. We must stand together in unity. We must walk the path of morality and truth, not the path of violence. True happiness comes from disciplining one’s own mind, not from material wealth, power, or external possessions. We must cultivate loving kindness, contentment, and compassion for others.”

Listening to these teachings naturally brings to mind the life stories of the Buddha himself.

Today, the world faces immense external threats from natural disasters, as well as internal crises such as the global pandemic of recent years. At the same time, powerful nations threaten one another with war and nuclear weapons, so much so that the reckless movement of a single finger by a few immoral leaders could turn the entire world into ashes within seconds. In such an age, ordinary people live day and night under fear, unsure of what tomorrow may bring.

At this critical moment, you monks, without weapons and armor, holding only the Buddha’s symbol of peace, the alms bowl and carrying peace flags, clothed merely in simple monastic robes, walking while chanting prayers for peace, have arrived at exactly the right time, in the right place, and as the right people. With these three “rightnesses,” I wholeheartedly rejoice in your courage and hardship, and I sincerely pray that your aspirations will be fulfilled.

As someone who holds special affection for animals, I was particularly touched by the sight of the beloved dog, Aloka, adorned with a peace symbol around its neck, accompanying the monks wherever they go. This beautifully symbolizes that peace is not only for humans, but for all sentient beings.

Throughout history, many religious figures, especially within Buddhism have made extraordinary contributions to world peace. Most notably, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with countless Buddhist monks and leaders, has tirelessly worked for the benefit of all humanity.  In particular, on June 11, 1963, in Vietnam, the 66-year-old Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức offered his own body in self-immolation through nonviolent means, accompanied by prayers and truth. His sacrifice profoundly shook Vietnam and the entire world, leading to significant positive change. In the same spirit, may this present nonviolent peace march by you monks guide the world toward the path of peace.

How wonderful and noble your method of peace truly is. Each peaceful footprint you leave across different parts of the United States spreads footprints of peace across the entire world. Each prayer you voice awakens humanity from its slumber of violence. Watching you walk barefoot for many days through cold winds, carrying only your alms bowls, is nothing short of miraculous.

"We follow in your footsteps.
We follow the path of peace.
What we need is democracy, freedom, and peace, not dictatorship and war.

Long live world peace!
Victory to the Buddhist Sangha!"

Aspiration

In this age of science and technology,
When the happiness of beings is on the brink of loss,
O monks who walk the path of peace,
We walk together with you.

In this age of militarism and power struggles,
When the vulnerable are left without refuge,
This timely march for peace
Proves that you are true heroes in action.

Through your pure intentions and unwavering determination,
May the terrors of war and the elements be pacified,
And may all beings forever abide in happiness and peace.

In an era when social media is filled with images of war, disease, and disaster, seeing the spontaneous and timely peace march undertaken by Buddhist monks has been the most beautiful and inspiring sight. Witnessing these images has awakened in me a strong wish to join such an effort, along with deep admiration for the monks’ courage, endurance, and determination.

With profound respect and rejoicing, this was written and offered by a Buddhist monk, Khenpo Karen from Manjushri Dharma Center, on the shores of the peaceful Pacific Ocean, California, USA, on January 11, 2026. (Translated from the original Tibetan using AI software, with assistance of my dear student, Dechen Baltso)