26/01/2026
What is the purpose of monks walking thousands of kilometers? It was never about spreading a religion. Over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha chose the road before temples and establishments, asking his monks to move through the heart of society for the wellbeing and good of people. They walked through cities of chaos and calm, drought and abundance, poverty and prosperity, danger and hopemeeting humanity in all its forms. When a grieving mother, Kisā Gotamī, came to him after losing her child, the Buddha did not offer doctrine but guided her to walk and connect with others, showing that healing begins in shared human experience. Today, science echoes this wisdom: movement calms the mind, connection heals the nervous system, and presence can transform lives. The Buddha’s words still resonate “Caratha bhikkhave cārikaṁ, bahujana sukhāya, bahujana hitāya” go forth for the welfare and happiness of the many. Before institutions and ideologies, there was the road, and even today, the most meaningful change often begins with a quiet act of compassion and the courage to walk beside others.
