What you need to know and expect to see the monks walking through SC today
As the Walk for Peace continues its way toward Columbia, attracting attention on social media and big crowds in real life, it might be hard to avoid the desire to go see the traveling caravan of two dozen Buddhist monks and its social media mascot Aloka the Peace Dog for yourself.
Here’s what to expect if you go to see the Walk for Peace in person.
What happens at a stop on the Walk for Peace?
A group of two dozen Buddhist monks are walking 2,300 miles cross-country from their home temple in Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. They are currently making their way across South Carolina on the way to Columbia.
The monks are updating their journey daily on their website, with planned stopping points for lunch and where they plan to stop for the night.
Members of the public are welcome to greet the monks as they traverse the state. But there are correct ways to do it.
How to talk to a monk
The correct way to greet a Buddhist monk is with hands in a prayer position and a slight bow. They use the style “venerable” and can be addressed as “venerable sir.” Touching the monks is a no-no, but they will accept small gifts such as flowers and are willing to pose for photos and distribute blessings if requested.
Grab lunch with a monk
The first stop of each day is for the monks to eat lunch. Some of them have taken a vow to only eat one meal per day, before noon, so they will eat first at their chosen location each day. If available, the vegetarian meal will also be shared with any members of the public who want some as well.
The monks are willing to take photos, but they request they not be photographed during their meal, which is preceded with a chant.
Afterwards, walk leader the Venerable Pannakara will give a short talk and the monks will give out peace bracelets to visitors.
Nightly visiting time
Once the monks arrive at the location where they stay overnight, there will be another large crowd gathered to see them and the monks will make an appearance in a designated area.
The Venerable Pannakara will lead the monks in giving their visitors a blessing in Pali, the sacred language of the Buddhist scriptures. He will then lead a forgiveness meditation, calling on each listener to forgive and seek the forgiveness of their families, friends, enemies and themselves. That will be followed by a loving kindness meditation wishing peace on all beings.
Afterwards, Pannakara will give another talk and the monks will distribute peace bracelets to the visitors.
Leave Fido at home
The monks’ dog Aloka has become a mascot for the Walk for Peace. A rescue dog from a previous visit to India, the dog — whose name means “light” — has its own social media page and following online.
Aloka happily interacted with well-wishers on a recent South Carolina stop, moving freely among the crowd and accepting pets from fans. The Venerable Pannakara, the walk’s lead monk, even said that visitors had “spoiled” the monks’ dog.
But the former stray was less enamored with other dogs. The State saw him bark at one visitor’s dog and attempt to chase after another.
Anyone heading to see the Walk for Peace should probably leave their own peace dog peacefully at home.
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