Colombo, Apr 21 (PTI) A group of Buddhist monks on Tuesday commenced a week-long Walk for Peace in the island nation, a program sponsored by the Government of Sri Lanka, the information department announced.
The group led by Vietnamese Monk Pannakara Thero took part in religious ceremonies to mark the inauguration of the walk this evening from the sacred city of Anuradhapura in the north central province.
They moved to Dambulla, another Buddhist sacred city in the region, to begin the 160 km trek to the capital Colombo tomorrow morning, the organisers said.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be present on the final day of the walk here to officially hand over the sapling of the sacred bo tree of Anuradhapura, which will be carried by the monks in the walk.
In a message, Dissanayake said, “I am honoured to support the Walk for Peace journey across Sri Lanka to promote mindfulness, loving kindness, unity and harmony among all people.”
Travelling with the group of monks who come from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam is the peace dog, Aloka, a former stray from India, that has now become a celebrity.
Originating in the US, the walk’s concept is the Buddha's teaching - compassion for all.
Buddhism is the majority religion in Sri Lanka.