Giving Peace a Chance
I’m a relatively quiet, but also opinionated woman. My friends accept that, and enjoy it - at least I think they do. I believe I have a clear sense of right and wrong. And what I see happening in our country is so wrong. There is darkness and destruction, the rule of law is ignored, the Constitution is cast aside, a private police are acting like thugs. Our country is a chaotic mess.
But more and more people are speaking out more and more - and into the mess and confusion come a group of Venerable Buddhist Monks on a Walk for Peace. Yes, you read it right - they Walk for Peace.
Their mission (and I am not sure mission is the right word) is to show peace. And they bring it to us by example. They are not asking us to become monks, or embrace Buddhism. They come to us as a representation of the peace they hope our country can feel, as they walk in peace, 2300 miles, on foot, from Texas to Washington D.C.
They walk in every kind of weather as they make their way. Sunshine. Cloudy weather. Rain. And even a snowstorm.
They ask absolutely nothing from us.
They walk quietly.
No signs. No shouting.
Not trying to convince any one of anything.
Not asking for anything.
At first they were an oddity, dressed in their orange robes, carrying only what they needed, nothing more. Some walked barefoot.
A few people came out to see them as they walked. As word spread, more and more people started coming to greet them, offering them flowers which the Venerable Monks return in kind. People bow, sink to their knees, offer up a prayer, even cry, such is the quiet power of the Monks. Again, worth mentioning, the Monks ask for nothing. Although smiles light up smiles in the crowd.
I repeat this, for it genuinely astounds me. The Monks ask for nothing. Yet when they stop for the night, the rewards of peace bring them water, food, a gentle place to sleep for the night. When it snowed, people gave them heavy socks, sneakers, hats and gloves, blankets and umbrellas. People remark, with wonder in their voice, that they feel the gentleness of peace in the presence of the Monks.
People have started to follow them, just a few in the beginning of the Walk for Peace - and then more and more and even more. And yesterday, in Virginia, hundreds upon hundreds of people welcomed them.
They are close to their D.C. destination now. And it frightens me, I worry about the political response, about the safety of the Monks. And then I reassure myself that all will be well. All they are saying is give peace a chance. And I worry again.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be peaceful.
