Phagwara, India
By Our International Correspondent
Ninety-six Buddhist monks from Thailand arrived in Phagwara today to launch the “Buddha Shanti March,” a month-long peace walk spanning multiple countries and faith communities. The delegation, led by Ambassador Dr. Parvinder Singh, President of the World Buddhist Federation, was greeted with honking cars, traditional Sikh kirtan and a communal langar at Shri Guru Gurdwara Shiromani Committee in Chak Hakim.
In a brief inaugural address, Dr. Parvinder Singh called on political and religious leaders worldwide to “embrace compassion as the foundation for global harmony.” He highlighted the march’s itinerary—traversing India, Nepal and Bhutan—and underscored its goal: to foster understanding across borders, cultures and creeds.
Surinder Singh, coordinator of Phagwara’s hospitality committee, organized the reception alongside a team of local volunteers. “Today’s welcome reflects Punjab’s enduring spirit of openness,” he said. “We honour these monks as brothers in the quest for peace.” Colorful banners proclaiming “Shanti” (peace) fluttered in the evening breeze as onlookers snapped photos and offered garlands.
Dr. Rajiv Kaur, President of the Rashtria Jan Jan Party (Punjab), lauded Thailand’s monastic community for undertaking “this noble, non-political mission.” She pledged state-level support for the march’s Punjab leg, assuring safe passage and logistical assistance.
International observers note that the Buddha Shanti March echoes several interfaith peace initiatives launched in recent years, including the Dalai Lama’s “Walk for Compassion” and Pope Francis’s “Journey of Hope.” Both campaigns emphasized grassroots engagement and cross-cultural dialogue—principles at the heart of today’s ceremony.
As the monks prepare to depart tomorrow morning, they will carry with them letters of solidarity from Phagwara’s municipal council and vows to plant saplings along their route. Organizers estimate the peace walk will cover nearly 600 kilometers before concluding in Bodh Gaya, the site of Buddha’s enlightenment.
Local residents expressed hope that the march will inspire renewed commitment to nonviolence and environmental stewardship. “When faiths unite around shared values,” said volunteer Anita Sharma, “we send a powerful message: peace is possible.”
The Buddha Shanti March continues its journey on June 18, heading north toward Jalandhar, where further interfaith events are planned. Supporters around the world are following the pilgrimage
