Hundreds gathered to see the group of Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” as they passed through Alexandria today (Monday).
Joined onstage by city officials, the group’s leader, the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, gave an address outside Christ Church, touching on themes of mindfulness and reflection in today’s heavily digital — and often divided — world.
Pannakara encouraged listeners to be present, remain kind when others are hurtful, and regularly recite the affirmation, “Today is going to be my peaceful day.” He also pressed them to rely less on their cell phones (or, as he jokingly called them, “lovers”).
“If you could do that, you change your life completely,” Pannakara said. “We lack of focus. We lack of concentration so much, and we’re losing our memories every single day, because of your lovers. You depend on that lover too much.”
The group of monks is nearing the end of their 2,300-mile journey to D.C. as they plan to ask Congress to create a federal holiday for Vesak, the day of Buddha’s birth and enlightenment. They began their pilgrimage in late October at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, and are joined by their rescue dog, Aloka.
In Old Town, Pannakara led hundreds in a heartbeat meditation and later told listeners to let go of the hardships, or “rocks,” they’ve been carrying.
“You’ve been carrying a lot of rocks on your shoulders,” Pannakara said. “Now is the time to drop them down, not to collect anymore, but letting them go. That is how we change our life.”
Mayor Alyia Gaskins presented the group with a proclamation honoring their message of peace as well as a tapestry of the Alexandria seal stitched by women at the Mother of Light Center. Pannakara was also given badges and pins from the Alexandria Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office.
“Today was so inspiring and uplifting,” Gaskins told ALXnow. “I’m deeply honored and grateful that Alexandria was able to be a stop on the peace walk. Today’s talk was a reminder that together, in unity, we can take actions towards a more peaceful, connected, and compassionate city, nation, and world.”
City Councilman Abdel Elnoubi said it was a privilege to meet the monks and share a stage with Pannakara. The monks’ mission reflects the kind of community Alexandria strives to be, he said.
“What struck me most was how closely his words aligned with the teachings of my own faith — especially the emphasis on love, kindness and letting go when someone says or does something hurtful,” Elnoubi said. “Seeing that shared moral ground across traditions was genuinely moving.”
After Pannakara’s speech, the monks distributed “peace bracelets” to serve as reminders of his teachings.
“It means that we will tie you up with us, so that you cannot escape from walking with us,” Pannakara said, drawing laughs from the crowd.
As members of the crowd flocked to N. Washington Street to offer cheers and flowers to the departing monks, one onlooker told ALXnow their main takeaway was that “we can choose to live in peace.”
“It’s not easy, especially in the world we live in, but that’s kind of what I got from it,” she said.
As of this afternoon, the monks are currently in Arlington, according to a live map tracker. They are expected to deliver brief remarks at Marymount University’s North Arlington campus this afternoon.
