Monks from the World Peace March make a stop at Buffalo Park

Buffalo, New York (WBEN) – Nearly a dozen monks marching in the name of world peace from Key West, Fla., to Niagara Falls, N.Y., stopped at Prospect Park in Buffalo on Tuesday to have lunch with residents, including members of the Seneca Nation and others. followed their journey.

Than Sunan, a monk leading the walk, told WBEN that the group started today’s walk this morning at 5 a.m. ET and walked 13 miles to the park . They will travel another 13 miles on Tuesday to a Buddhist temple in Grand Island. Bedell Road.

“We’re on our way, we have 9 miles to Niagara Falls,” says Sunan, who added that they have been walking an average of 30 miles a day since leaving Florida on March 29.

Their mission? Spread peace in the world.

“Yes, we walk a lot, but we don’t worry (about fatigue). Our body is just our body, our mind never hurts. Our mind keeps praying for peace for everyone, that’s the important part,” says Sunan.

The monks don’t take much with them except their flags, sandals and orange robes. They rely on the kindness of strangers. Sunan tells me they usually find shelter and places to sleep in churches, local motels and houses that people offer them for a night.

The monks shared many blessings, including the food shared with them and their prayer songs.

The monks will arrive this Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 a.m. at Terrapin Point on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park to share their final message and hold a ceremony, then return to Grand Island on Sunday, June 30 at 9 a.m. : 30 p.m. ET at Wat Prodketchettharam for a ceremony that all are invited to attend.

You can follow their journey on their Facebook page.