The story of the Buddhist monks’ “Walk for Peace” from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., beginning on October 26, 2025, and concluding in February—covering 2,300 miles on foot—went viral on social media. One Facebook post describes the monks’ peaceful campaign:
“Led by Bhikkhu Pannakara, the monks of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center walk with quiet discipline and humility. Often barefoot and carrying only essentials, they move at a mindful pace that transforms highways and small towns into spaces of reflection. This is not a march of protest, but a living practice of nonviolence, compassion, and inner peace expressed through steady steps and calm presence.”
How fitting it is to relate this story to this Sunday’s Gospel on the Beatitudes. Just as the Gospel extols the virtues and values of humility, peacefulness, compassion, and purity of heart, the Buddhist monks also teach and embody these virtues through their peaceful and quiet walk across the states and cities of the United States. It is as if they are saying, “Enough of anger, hatred, war, conflict, and deep divisions among people in the world. What we all need is to live in peace, justice, harmony, charity, and mutual respect.”
I wish we could all join the monks in this peaceful protest against the strife in the world. I hope our leaders will heed this call to end all wars, violence, and conflicts. I long for us to unite in a shared vision for the peace and well-being of all people.
We must start here, in our own backyard and community. We need to continue preaching, living, and promoting these Gospel values. Jesus stood for peace, justice, compassion, and the dignity of every human being. He blessed those who are poor in spirit, pure in heart, merciful, peacemakers, and those who hunger for righteousness.
Like the Buddhist monks, I envision our community leading and organizing a peaceful “Walk for Peace” here in the City of Glendale. We have undertaken similar projects before with other churches in the city. A significant part of our mission is to advocate for peace and justice—a work that Jesus would undoubtedly applaud. Let’s talk and see how our community can lead these actions for peace and justice.