Several members and friends of the Hawaii Betsuin sangha gathered in the Lounge on Tuesday to watch a livestream of the “Walk for Peace” monks’ arrival in Washington D.C. following a 2,300-mile journey on foot from Fort Worth, Texas. The monks are of the Vietnamese Theravada Buddhist tradition and practice Vipassana meditation.

You can watch the same livestream we did as a recording. It shows the monks’s arrival, messages, and Q&A at Washington National Cathedral. The quality and messages are excellent.

Mini Walk for Peace 2/14 in Honolulu: Last week we mentioned a mini Walk for Peace in connection with the Honolulu Mindfulness Community that was to have been held Feb. 8. The high winds changed that plan, and now the walk will be held Saturday, Feb. 14. Walkers will gather at 9 a.m. outside the Kuan Yin Temple on Vineyard Ave. (by Foster Garden) and walk to the Capitol. (Not a Hawaii Betsuin event, shared for your awareness.) More info »

New Walk for Peace tribute song: At last Sunday’s service, Rev. Charlene Kihara invited David Atcheson to share a song he coaxed into existence with the help of AI as a tribute to the monks’ walk. The temple lost power and internet as the song played. Was the universe making a statement about AI? We don’t know, but here’s a link to the full song for those curious to see it. 😅