'We Just Want Peace': How The Buddhist Monks Impacted MD Residents

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Hundreds of residents from across Maryland arrived in Annapolis on Thursday to witness the Theravada Buddhist monks as they took the final steps of their 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace."

Despite the bitter morning chill, the route from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to Lawyer's Mall was lined with supporters, many of whom were carrying signs and flowers.

In between the crowds, eager attendees could be heard asking each other if they'd heard any update on the whereabouts of the monks as the walk kicked off to a late start.

Related: Buddhist Monks Greeted With Cheers And Support In Annapolis

Venise Harris, who attended the event with her niece Sherray Miller, told Patch she simply "could not believe" that the monks were going to be walking into Annapolis.

"I just want to lay my eyes on them," Harris said.

The journey, led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, was organized as a means to promote the Buddhist teachings of compassion and mindfulness. Pannakara serves as the vice president of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, the starting point of the monthslong trek.

For Harris, the monks' message of peace, compassion, and mindfulness is "awesome."

"We just want peace," Harris said. "We just want peace, and it's hard to find that right now."

Miller said she was excited to join in on the festivities too, telling Patch that "now is the best time" for a push for peace and mindfulness.

'We Want Respect For Humanity'

Also in attendance were dozens of dogs, like Sparky, who attended the event with his owner, Sue.

Sue is a resident of Annapolis who joined the monks as a volunteer for the Fredericksburg leg of their journey. She told Patch that her experience on the walk was "beautiful," even in the cold weather conditions.

"This has been an amazing walk they've done and the outcome has been just truly inspirational," she said. "If anything, I hope everybody — men and women — can grab onto the idea of being more mindful and meditating because it is so important."

As for Sparky, Sue said he was in attendance to offer his support for Aloka, the rescue dog that accompanied the monks on their journey. Sparky is also a rescue dog.

Peggy and Mark, of Chesapeake Beach, also joined in with the crowd. Their dog, Buttercup, was also front and center.

"I'm hoping that the monks' message of peace can bring us some peace because what's happening is absolutely terrible," said Peggy, who told Patch that she also takes part in a weekly protest in Chesapeake Beach to promote change.

"We want peace, we want respect for humanity."

Feeling At Peace

Although the peace walk route initially included Maryland, the visit was scrapped due to time constraints. It was only announced earlier this week that the monks would make an appearance in Annapolis at the invitation of Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller.

"I was so thrilled that they added on this visit to Annapolis," said Margaret, who planted herself a few paces from the Maryland State House.

Representing her neighborhood in Talbot County's Saint Michaels, Margaret told Patch that the moment she saw the monks would be "a quiet, blessed moment."

"I think it sort of inspires me, and I'm sure millions of others, to just walk in your mind, walk around your yard. Just take a meditative moment whenever we can," she said.

Sholh Kornega, along with Von and Leticia Foote, had been following the "Walk for Peace" on social media, feeling inspired by the monks' dedication.

Having witnessed the monks walk across Bladen Street, Kornega said the moment itself was overwhelming.

"Just peace, literally. I felt the presence of them walking toward us really quite amazing," Kornega told Patch.

After meeting with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and taking part in an interfaith discussion with Miller and the Council on Interfaith Outreach, the monks departed back to Fort Worth on a bus with Aloka, who also has an official Facebook fan page.