A powerful display of compassion
To the Editor:
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to rural Georgia with a friend to see the Venerable Monks on their Walk for Peace. It was the same day that we awoke to the news of the United States invasion of Venezuela to arrest Nicolas Maduro. It was an abrupt end to the peacefulness of the Christmas season, making my head spin and bringing me back to chaos that is the hallmark of this administration. Sadly.
Hailing from Buddhist monasteries across the globe, nineteen monks began their 2,300-mile walk in Fort Worth Texas at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. Their intention has been to raise awareness of peace, kindness and compassion across the United States. It is something that many of them have done before in other countries.
The Walk for Peace began on October 26 of last year with the hope of reaching Washington, D.C., by mid-February. Along the way they stop at small towns for midday breaks and overnight camping. In each of those places, they share their wisdom teachings and engage in dialogue with interested visitors.
My experience was one of welcoming them into the small town of Bishop, Georgia, with offerings of flowers and thanks. It was brief but powerful, despite the rain. As their midday gathering was indoors due to the weather, my friend and I did not have the opportunity to hear them speak. I continue to follow them on Facebook as they have moved across Georgia, into South Carolina and soon into our state of North Carolina. My friend has made the journey to see them again.
I don’t know a lot about Buddhism, but I am drawn to the emphasis on peaceful co-existence. Over the years I have read some of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and activist. While I have been an activist much of my life I have always tried to engage in my work in a non-confrontational manner. I have not always been successful. Aging, however, has smoothed the edges of my warrior nature, increased my patience and broadened my perspective. It’s what I hope the Walk for Peace will bring to our country. I also hope it will make us more curious.
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Buddhism is a philosophy and a practice more than it is a religion. You can be a Christian and practice Buddhism. The monks who are walking through our country are not here to proselytize or convert us. While we can meet them at rest stops, they are not encouraging followers along their path. If anything, it seems to me they are here to leave peace behind in a country that is struggling with a Department of War mentality.
I hope you are following the progress of the Walk for Peace on social media or in the news. If you have the chance to be in the presence of the venerable monks, I hope you take the opportunity. I think you will be better for it. I know I am.
Margaret Pickett
Highlands
