As you no doubt have heard by now, a group of venerable Buddhist monks, carrying a simple message of peace with every step, have been traveling on foot from Fort Worth, Texas, since October, culminating their journey in our frozen nation’s capital this week.

Many in our community were fortunate enough to be in their presence today as they passed through Alexandria and Arlington. Standing mindfully as they strode by, their calm, loving energy was palpable and contagious. Flowers changed hands. Joyful tears fell. Quiet blanketed us with warmth. So simple, so profound.

Those of us here in the DMV have two more days to stand and breathe in solidarity with the monks as they walk into the District, arriving at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier today during remarks at Marymount University, their message was clear: peace is not an ephemeral notion floating in the clouds. Bhikkhu Pannakara reminded us that “we have to work for it, because peace always begins within.” He invited us to wake each day with a simple intention: "Today is going to be my peaceful day." It isn’t enough to say it once, or only now and then. As he noted, Washington, D.C. is not actually their final destination, because until there is truly world peace, we must walk for the rest of our lives.

For more information about the Walk for Peace, including the upcoming event schedule, visit their website here.