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Monks’ 2,300-mile walk for peace inspires hope in a troubled US
The US public was also fascinated and intrigued by the acts of penance chosen by the monks. Some monks, including Pannakara, opted to walk most of the journey in their bare feet or with nothing but socks. Pannakara’s feet were bound in thick bandages after being cut by stones and shards of glass.
Walking's no joke!
The walk came with its fair share of obstacles. Two monks were injured in a traffic accident near Dayton, Texas, in November. One of the monks, Bhante Dam Phommasan, abbot of Wat Lao Buddha Khanti in Snellville, Georgia, had one of his legs amputated. Despite his injury, Phommasan joined the group of monks in January, receiving rapturous applause after completing the walk in a wheelchair.
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Aloka, a rescue dog that accompanied the monks throughout the entire pilgrimage, has become an overnight star. After suffering a knee injury, he had to receive surgery for a tear in his cranial cruciate ligament but still managed to complete the walk.