Spokane community gathers to honor monks’ 2,300-mile peace walk

By Norah McLaughlin | FāVS News Reporter and Gen Heywood | FāVS News Photographer

A retired Gonzaga University professor joined 19 Buddhist monks on their 2,300-mile peace walk from Texas to Washington, D.C., inspiring about 200 Spokane residents to gather Thursday evening in celebration of the journey’s completion.

Ven. Geshe Thupten Phelgye, a Buddhist monk who founded the Universal Compassion Foundation in Spokane, flew to the East Coast to walk with the monks for one day – sunrise to sunset – after learning about their trek on social media.

“I thought this was an excellent initiative,” Phelgye said. “We need this and I said, I support you.”

Two days after the monks completed their 108-day journey Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral, the Spokane community honored their mission with a local peace walk through downtown.

The national peace walk

The monks began their journey Oct. 26 from Fort Worth, Texas, walking from sunrise to sundown and covering nearly 2,300 miles, according to The Associated Press. Communities across the country lined streets offering food and small gifts, while police and sheriffs walked alongside to ensure their security.

Phelgye’s own peace mission through the Universal Compassion Foundation — which he founded to inspire peace across the Middle East and brought to Spokane — motivated him to join the monks. His organization works to bridge different communities together.

“Peace begins from ourselves,” Phelgye said. “We have to share peace, love, compassion and practice humility, compassion and forgiveness.”

Even walking for just one day left its mark.

“I got a lot of blisters on my foot. I’m still kind of resting and healing up,” Phelgye said. “But you know, those blisters don’t count anything. The joy and seeing people so happy and appreciation. Those pains count nothing at all.”

When the monks reached Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, they were greeted by thousands of supporters, other Buddhist monks and nuns, and faith leaders from various traditions, according to Episcopal News Service.

Walk leader Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra addressed the crowd at the cathedral saying, “This is the first time to me, that we are working together. We are walking together on this path to find peace for ourself, to share that to our nation and the world.”

The Spokane celebration

Denise Attwood and Kim Harmson organized Thursday’s local celebration after being inspired by the monks’ peaceful intentions and the way their journey touched communities across the country.

The evening walk began at 5:15 p.m. at the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park and covered 10 blocks through downtown Spokane. Participants brought flowers, candles and other light sources.

“As we gather in community and center ourselves, we deepen our attention and our commitment to kindness and compassion,” Attwood told the crowd before the walk began.

Ven. Thubten Chonyi of Sravasti Abbey spoke about how the Texas monks’ journey reminded people of their innate capacity for love.

“It’s embedded in our very psyche, as we enter this world. So, what they’ve given us is a reminder of who we are,” she said. “From the Buddhist perspective, which is where I come from, our intention is everything. So as we start this walk tonight, think about your personal motivation.”

She instructed participants to reflect on their hopes for themselves and others and to radiate compassion and love for all beings they might encounter.

Ed Hanson, new to the area, attended with his dog Flint.

“Because this is an action for peace, and I’m a Rosicrucian and we’re all about peace,” he said, explaining that local Rosicrucians connect through the internet and a regional grand counselor.

The walk aligned with his own spiritual practice.

After placing flower offerings along the route, participants returned to the fountain for closing remarks. Chonyi spoke about the merit generated through the mindful walk spreading throughout the world “like ripples on water.”

“Just take a moment and imagine it spreading throughout the city,” she said, encouraging participants to recognize and rejoice in moments when love arises in their hearts.

“If you truly, truly appreciate and love peace, then you have to take the steps,” Phelgye said said in an interview with FāVS. “And that’s what I did.”

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