After 108 days of walking, 19 Venerable Buddhist Monks reached DC today. The group, which started their journey on October 26 in Fort Worth, Texas, had a series of stops in their first full day in Washington, including an Interfaith Ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral with religious leader s including Reverend Mariann Budde. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, the group was greeted by thousands of onlookers, who came to watch as the pilgrimage reached the cathedral. The monks were met with flowers and signs thanking them for spreading peace.  Heather Wasler, the second person to arrive this morning around 10 AM, traveled three-and-a-half hours from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to witness the ceremony. “To be able to be with people who are spreading love and peace and seeing it touch so many people is beautiful,” she said. Venerable Maha Dam Phommasanalso, who lost his leg due to a car accident while walking in November, rejoined the group for the end of the journey in DC. Rev. Randolph “Randy” Hollerith, Dean of the Cathedral, and Rev. Mariann Budde welcomed the group as they arrived, followed by a prayer to St. Francis. Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra then spoke about the importance of the walk and the act of practicing peace and mindfulness everyday. “I’m very grateful. And for that reason, I thank you all, for all the love, hospitality, and your support to come out for this mission, to walk with us, for the rest of our lives,” said Paññākāra. Kimberly Bassett, Secretary of DC, also spoke. “Today they mark the end of a 2,300-mile walk, but it’s not the end of our journey for peace,” she said. “Your pilgrimage has brought people together across cities, states, and communities, all things, all backgrounds, all of us together, united in the shared belief that we can choose healing over harm, understanding over division, and peace over conflict.”  The cathedral was then opened for the private Interfaith Ceremony, where local monks and other religious leaders discussed their faiths.  Afterwards, the Carillon Bells rang, and the group headed towards their next destination: a walk through Embassy Row until they reached George Washington University. Tomorrow, the monks plan to start walking at 9:30 AM to Capitol Hill, followed by a walk to the Lincoln Memorial at 1:30 PM and a “Peace Gathering and Concluding Ceremony” at the memorial at 2:30 PM. They will board a bus on February 12 to return to Fort Worth.The post Thousands Welcome Buddhist Monks in DC After Their 2,300-Mile Walk for Peace first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less