Ruptly
"Fifty-eight Buddhist monks participating in the Indonesia Walk for Peace (IWFP) 2026 arrived at Banyuwangi on Tuesday, after completing a long journey on foot from Thailand to Indonesia. Footage shows locals lining up on the roads to greet the monks as they enter the village, before they rest and hold prayers with community members at TITD Tik Liong Tian before continuing to Vihara Jaya Manggala in Gambiran. “This activity is truly extraordinary. It represents not only a physical journey but also conveys moral messages about peace, loving-kindness,,” said the head of the Buddhist Affairs Division at the East Java Regional Office, Ketut Panji Budiawan. “We hope that all Buddhists can commemorate Tri Suci Waisak day meaningfully. It’s vital to ensure that our actions link to and resonate with the wider community, enhancing the quality of our lives,” added Indonesian monk Tejapunno Mahathera. The monks were met with a warm reception where local residents of various faiths gathered to offer food, water and encouragement. “We, the Christian community in Yosemulio Village, truly appreciate and take pride in this activity, as it highlights the importance of tolerance. As people of faith, we are grateful for this extraordinary event, which strengthens brotherhood through our differences, particularly religious ones,” stressed local pastor Meidy Rumenser. The international pilgrimage, known as ‘Thudong’, brings together monastics from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia for a 666-km trek from Bali to the majestic Borobudur Temple in Central Java. The journey commenced on May 9 at the Brahmavihara Arama in Buleleng, Bali. In two days, the group had crossed the Bali Strait, arriving in Banyuwangi, East Java. The monks made the long journey from Thailand to Indonesia on foot as a symbol of simplicity, perseverance and commitment to spiritual values and peace. Notably, unlike previous years, the IWFP 2026 route progresses from east to west, embodying a spiritual journey and an effort to spread messages of peace to a broader audience. Walking between 30 and 40 kilometres daily over three weeks, the monks adhere to an austere lifestyle, carrying only their basic necessities while practising constant mindfulness. Under the theme ‘Dharma Maintains World Peace’, this initiative showcases Indonesia’s commitment to religious tolerance and social cohesion. The pilgrimage is the headline event for the month-long ‘Vesakha Sananda 2026’ celebrations. The monks are set to reach Borobudur by May 28, just in time for the peak Vesak Day rituals on May 31, the most sacred festival in Buddhism. Their arrival at the world’s largest Buddhist monument marks the culmination of a three-week testament to peace."
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