Thousands of people braved the cold Tuesday night, lining Henry Street and standing on snowbanks to catch a glimpse of the Venerable Monks on their Walk for Peace, and later packing the Brock Recreation Center to hear their peace sharing talk. The monks, who have become an international sensation with millions of social media followers, were on the 101st day of their journey from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C.

While the reception, filled with people from all walks of life, was befitting of rock stars, the crowd held a respectful quiet. Children exchanged flowers and fruit with the monks as they passed, spectators held signs and offered messages of peace and encouragement. The monks, dressed in many layers of traditional robes to stay warm, walked at a brisk pace necessary to traverse 20 miles per day. As the procession of monks passed, the people joined behind them on their walk in a show of solidarity.

Originating from the Buddhist Huong Dao Temple in Fort Worth, the Walk for Peace has journeyed through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and now Virginia on its way to the nation’s capital. Upon arriving in Ashland, and after a brief period of rest and an appearance by their beloved dog companion Aloka, the 18 monks gathered with the 2,000 attendees in the Brock Center for their talk.

Randolph-Macon College President Michael E. Hill delivered welcoming remarks, praising the venerable monks for inspiring people of all faiths and cultures. “We’re so grateful for their commitment, their leadership, and their witness, and we’re particularly honored that their journey to Washington, D.C., has made a space for a stop here in Ashland,” President Hill said. “We hope that our time together will inspire each of us to commit to peace in meaningful ways.”

President Hill and officials from Hanover County, including the Fire and Police Departments and the Board of Supervisors, presented ceremonial pins to Venerable Monk Pannakara, the leader of the Walk for Peace, who has collected pins from supporters throughout the journey. The presentation was followed by RMC Chaplain Grimes reciting an original poem (“please, I implore you to treasure this night/to cherish the words and thoughtful insights”) and the monks leading a chant blessing the gathering.

When Venerable Monk Pannakara addressed the crowd, he shared a simple message of mindfulness, kindness, and, of course, peace. He urged the attendees to love themselves first and to take care of both their bodies and minds.

Pannakara also acknowledged how fragile inner peace can be. In a metaphor where a drop of water in a jar represents an individual moment of peace (meditation, charity, learning, etc.), one moment of anger will spill that collected water on the ground.

As counsel for living a peaceful life, the Venerable Monk advocated for the attendees to remain grounded and emphasized the importance of meditation and breathing. “Add awareness to our breath going in and our breath going out,” Pannakara said.

He also advocated peace and patience in interpersonal conflicts, noting that fights generally end with either a visit to a hospital, jail, or funeral. “I always tell myself, regardless of what people give to you, you always give back love, kindness, and compassion.”

Pannakara concluded his talk with a call for unity, asking the audience to join them in spreading this message of peace. “Imagine all of us doing that together,” Pannakara said. “This world will be a better place for our future generations.”