Bhairahawa — A group of international Buddhist monks dedicated to promoting peace, morality, and awareness across the world has arrived in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, after completing thousands of miles of peace walks in several countries.
The team, led by Vietnamese Buddhist monk Bhante Pannakara, entered Nepal through the Belahiya border point in Rupandehi on Sunday evening. Accompanying the monks was ‘Aloka’, a dog widely recognized as a symbol of peace and affectionately known as an international peace ambassador.
Bhante Pannakara and his team previously completed a 3,400-kilometre peace pilgrimage in 2022, visiting major Buddhist sacred sites across India. During that journey, a stray dog encountered on the route between Kolkata and Bodh Gaya began following the monks. After travelling with them for hundreds of miles, the monks named the dog “Aloka.”
Most recently, the team undertook a 2,300-mile (approximately 3,700-kilometre) barefoot peace march from Texas to Washington, D.C., in the United States. The walk aimed to spread the message of world peace at a time when many nations are experiencing war and conflict.
After travelling through more than ten U.S. states, the monks continued their journey through Sri Lanka and Thailand before arriving in India and subsequently Nepal.
Upon reaching Lumbini, Bhante Pannakara visited the sacred Maya Devi Temple and circumambulated the holy Pushkarini Pond. He also conducted special Sutta chanting and meditation sessions, offering prayers for people affected by war, violence, and unrest around the world.
Addressing journalists, Bhante Pannakara said that true peace can be achieved through self-understanding and inner awareness. Reflecting on his personal transformation, he shared that he had once worked as an engineer before embracing monastic life.
“Becoming a Buddhist monk was the greatest turning point in my life,” he said. “My life changed completely when I left behind the pursuit of money and chose a path of service, meditation, and the teachings of the Buddha.”
He further stated that the fatigue of walking hundreds of miles disappeared the moment he arrived at Buddha’s birthplace. “To sit in the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and pray for world peace is the greatest achievement of my journey,” he added.
Speaking about Aloka, Bhante Pannakara described the dog as more than just a companion. He called Aloka a living inspiration and guiding light throughout the journey. According to him, Aloka has travelled continuously for months and even participates in meditation practices, inspiring people through discipline, compassion, loyalty, and non-violence.
Welcoming the visitors, Bhikkhu Maitri Mahasthavir, President of the International Federation of Monks, expressed confidence that the journey of Bhante Pannakara and Aloka would help spread awareness of Lumbini and the Buddha’s teachings to the international community.
He emphasized that, at a time when many parts of the world are affected by conflict and instability, it is essential to once again share the message of peace from Lumbini with the global community.
Similarly, Kalpana Harijan, Acting Mayor of Lumbini Cultural Municipality, and Gyanin Rai, Senior Officer of the Lumbini Development Trust, stated that the monks’ visit would contribute significantly to the international promotion of Lumbini and support the growth of tourism in the region.
