A Buddhist monk waves his hands at the crowd during a homecoming ceremony Feb. 14 at Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth after the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace. More than a dozen monks participated.
Following a nearly four-month trek on foot from Texas to Washington, D.C., more than a dozen Buddhist monks returned to their temple Saturday in Fort Worth to a homecoming ceremony.
The monks embarked on the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace in October to promote national healing, unity and compassion, according to a press release on the Dhammacetiya website. The monks adhered to a strict ascetic code, which included eating only one meal per day and sleeping beneath trees.
Hundreds of people gathered along Ramey Avenue on Saturday morning, waiting with flowers and offerings for the monks to arrive. The crowd followed them on a roughly 13-minute walk to the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center for a ceremony.
Guests participated in a food offering, and lunch was provided for attendees.
Glen Rose, Texas, resident Elyssia Rivera, 26, said she drove about an hour to welcome the monks home. Rivera said Buddhist teachings helped save her life five years ago.
“The message of love, really, is what is going to take care of us,” she said.
Attendees gather beneath Buddhist flags Feb. 14 during a homecoming ceremony honoring the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center monks after their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace. The homecoming ceremony featured prayers, chanting and expressions of gratitude.
Attendees stand outside the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center during a homecoming ceremony Feb. 14 in Fort Worth following the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace. The community welcomed the monks back home.
Fort Worth resident Linda Wolszon, 68, left, and Boulder, Colorado, resident Mandy Perera, 54, place flowers on Ramey Avenue while waiting for the Buddhist monks to arrive Feb. 14 in Fort Worth. Attendees provided the monks with flowers and other offerings.
Venerable monk Pannakara sits in front of the temple during the homecoming ceremony Feb. 14 at Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth after the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace. Venerable Pannakara led the Walk to Washington, D.C.
Buddhist monks from the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center sit together Feb. 14 during a homecoming celebration following their Walk for Peace in Fort Worth. The walk was organized to promote mindfulness, compassion and unity, drawing support from communities across the country as the monks traveled 2,300 miles on foot.
An attendee holds a sign while walking to the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center for a homecoming ceremony Feb. 14 in Fort Worth following the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace. The walk started in October.
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