By Bhante Sumitta |
East Coast of Florida ‘Indialantic’ to West Coast of Clear Water beach, Florida
December 15-22, 2021
Buddha’s first ever message to the group of first ever missionary group of 60 Buddhist monks was “caratha bhikkhave cārikaṃ bahujana hitāya, bahujana sukhāya, attāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṃ” (Monks! walk for the well-being & happiness of the many men & deities.” Ever since the Buddha sāsana was initiated, the Buddha and his disciples always walked and traveled to benefit the others. This ancient age old tradition of walking is very popular among the Buddhist monks of all traditions. In line with this ancient tradition, this “Pilgrimage for World Peace” is undertaken by 9 Buddhist Monks from the East Coast to the West Coast of Florida State from December 15 to December 22, 2021.
Distance of the Journey
This Peace Walk starts from Atlantic Ocean, the east coast of Florida, City of Melbourne, and ends at the west coast, the Gulf of Mexico, Clear Water Beach, covering 163 miles in 7 consecutive days by 9 Buddhist monks from Thailand and Sri Lanka.
December 15 at 7 AM
Start walk from Indialantic Beach – James H. Nance Park, North Miramar Avenue, Indialantic, FL, USA – US-192 & Deer Park Rd, Florida 34773, USA
21 miles
December 16 at 7 AM
Start walk from US-192 & Deer Park Rd, Florida 34773, USA – Lakeside Inn and Cafe, Alligator Lake Shore East, St. Cloud, FL, USA
21 miles
December 17 at 7 AM
Start walk from Lakeside Inn and Cafe, Alligator Lake Shore East, St. Cloud, FL, USA – Wat Florida Dhammaram, Old Vineland Road, Kissimmee, FL, USA
19 miles
December 18
Start walk from Wat Florida Dhammaram, Old Vineland Road, Kissimmee, FL, USA – Royal Palm Village, Haines City, FL, USA
23 miles
December 19 at 7 AM
Start walk from Royal Palm Village, Haines City, FL, USA – Tiger Villa Motel, New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, FL, USA
25 miles
December 20 at 7 AM
Start walk from Tiger Villa Motel, New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, FL, USA – Wat Mongkolratanaram, Palm River Road, Tampa, FL, USA
25 miles
December 21 at 6 AM
Start walk from Wat Mongkolratanaram, Palm River Road, Tampa, FL, USA – Pier 60, Clearwater, FL 33767, USA
29 miles
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Memories from New York to Washington DC Walk |
way to Washington DC walking monks visiting a Buddhist temple walking monks posing for a picture devotees’ hearts are melt to see the hard walking monks visiting New Jersey Buddhist Vihara on the way devotees after offering lunch dana continue to walk simple food in roadside happy devotees offering light snack on the way awesome Thai community pious devotee walking through the panoramic view committed devotee to take care to the walking monks keep walking with early morning chilly cold walking through the suburbs nature brings more happiness all in one keep up the good spirit long way to go nature’s blessing walks in peace walks for peace with mettā going uphill way to go blissful nature sidewalk on the meadows keep going caratha bhikkhave cārikaṃ (walk for the better, O monks!) continue to strive still peaceful & happy nature’s welcome red carpet red carpet welcome walking feet are worthy of millions nice & cool weather little more to go smiling sun fallen leaves prior to winter be happy & smile mā nivattha abhikkama!
(go forward without stopping)famous Thai walking monk | Tham Sutham walking bhikkhus & bhikkhunis passing through Maryland devotees offering lunch Dana on the way happy devotees continue to walk it is a blessing to walk in this natural beauity mindful walking uphill journey blessing is the united Sangha
Facts to Remember while walking |
- Be respectful to all sentient beings
- Walk with Loving Kindness to the people, animals & nature on your way
- Be mindful about the traffic rules of certain countries, states & cities
- Be hydrated and light weight
- Be mindful about different weather conditions in different countries during different seasons
- Make sure you have some support from the community
- Be aware of the topography and road map of your route
- If you are a monastic and travel in a completely different country, some back up support from the lay community would be ideal
Keep walking, walk in peace and walk for peace.
Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā! (May all sentient beings be well, happy & healthy!)
My family came to Florida with family friends for a vacation and got lucky to meet with Dhamma gurus after Peace Walk🙏🏻
Sumitta Bhanteji has offered me Dhamma flag, the one he carried during his walk. I felt so blessed after receiving the precious gift of my life.
Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā! (May all sentient beings be well, happy & healthy!)
Nice to meet you Anchal and your family. Many blessings! May you and your family be well, happy and healthy!