Only now, as the journey nears its end, has national media begun to notice. Some ask why it took so long for attention to arrive. But the monks never walked for attention. They walked so their message could arrive when hearts were ready to receive it.
A story from the walk
A little girl walked up to Bhikkhu Pannakara with the
purest request in the world —
“Can I have a hug?”
The monk smiled… and gently said no.
Not because he didn’t care.
Not because he was distant.
But because he was faithful to his path.
In the monastic life, there are clear vows. Monks do not
touch women or girls — ever. It’s not personal, it’s discipline. It’s how they
protect their practice, their clarity, and their commitment to a life of
renunciation.
Seeing the little girl’s confusion, the monk softly
asked,
“Who did you come with?”
She pointed proudly to her mother.
He laughed and said,
“Oh… you’re a female too!”
Then he noticed the father standing nearby. The monk
lightly touched the dad’s arm — and just like that, the whole family leaned in
together. A rule-respecting, heart-warming group hug happened anyway.
That’s the beauty of wisdom — it finds compassion within
boundaries, not by breaking them.
This is something many people don’t realize:
Monks can’t always accept gifts
They can’t pose for one-on-one photos
They may say “no” even when their hearts say “yes”
And that “no” is not rejection.
It’s reverence — for their vows.
This is also why the Walk for Peace touches people so
deeply.
.When monks walk silently through streets, they aren’t
protesting, performing, or preaching. They’re reminding us — without words —
that peace begins with restraint, humility, and presence. Their stillness
unsettles something inside us… and then heals it.
People pause.
Hearts soften.
Egos quiet down.
And then there’s Aloka
Together — monks, the walk, and Aloka — create something
rare: A moving lesson in humanity.
So if a monk ever refuses a hug, a photo, or a request —
don’t take it personally.
Take it wisely.
Respect the journey.
Receive the lesson.
And let the peace walk with you long after they’ve passed.
No comments:
Post a Comment