Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Nearly a dozen monks walking in the name of world peace from Key West, Florida to Niagara Falls made a stop to Prospect Park in the City of Buffalo on Tuesday to have lunch with some locals, including members of the Seneca Nation and others who have been following their journey.
Than Sunan, a lead monk taking the walk tells WBEN the group began today's walk this morning at 5 a.m. ET in Hamburg and walked 13 miles to get to the Buffalo park, they will walk another 13 miles this Tuesday to get to a buddhist temple in Grand Island on Bedell Road.
"We are on our way, nine miles left to Niagara Falls," said Sunan, who added that they average walking 30 miles a day since they started in Florida on March 29.
Their mission? Spread world peace.
"Yes, we walk a lot, but we don't care [about tiring]. Our body is just our body, our minds never hurt. Our minds still pray for peace for everyone, that's the important part," Sunan said.
The monks do not bring much with them except their flags, sandals and orange robes. They rely on the kindness from strangers. Sunan tells me they typically find shelter and places to sleep in churches, local motels and homes that people offer to them for a night.
The monks shared many blessings, including the food that was shared with them and their chants of prayer.
The monks will arrive this Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 a.m. ET to Terrapin Point on Goat Island at Niagara Falls State Park to share their final message and have a ceremony, they will then go back to Grand Island on Sunday, June 30 at 9:30 a.m. ET at the Wat Prodketchettharam for a ceremony that all are invited to attend.
You can follow their journey on their Facebook page.