Walking for Peace at USC Southern California Buddhist Communities Unite in Prayer for World Peace
By Hsin Kung, The Life News Agency, Los Angeles, USA
The USC Office of Religious and Spiritual Life hosted its “Walk for Peace” event on March 25, inviting Buddhist temples from across the Los Angeles area to participate in a campus walking pilgrimage dedicated to world peace. Building upon last year’s Bodhi tree planting ceremony, the event brought together Buddhist communities throughout Southern California to offer prayers for peace through mindful walking. The program was inspired by Theravāda monks who undertook a 108-day pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., demonstrating their commitment to peace through compassionate action.
Representing the Theravāda tradition was Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara. Venerable Huidong, Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple and President of the Southern California Chinese Buddhist Sangha Association, led a delegation of 20 Chinese Mahāyāna monastics. Participating temples included Hsi Lai Temple, Fayin Temple, Miaojue Temple, Bodhi Temple, Caotang Temple, Xuefeng Vihara, and Zhengjue Vihara, along with representatives from Zen Center of Los Angeles, representing the Japanese Zen tradition.
Before the walk began, Varun Soni, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at USC, welcomed participants in front of the iconic Tommy Trojan statue. He explained that the monument symbolizes the heart of both the university and its community, embodying the values of loyalty, scholarship, skill, courage, and service. He noted that the pilgrimage to the Bodhi tree carried special significance, commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment while also honoring the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, whose peaceful actions transformed society. He emphasized that the simple act of walking possesses the power to transform hearts and inspire peace.
Although the walking pilgrimage took place entirely on campus, it attracted the attention of many students, several of whom joined the procession along the way. Upon arriving at the Bodhi Tree Plaza, Mark Miller, Director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, invited representatives of the monastic community to share Dharma reflections.
Venerable Piyananda Walpola of the Theravāda tradition spoke first, explaining that Buddhist practice is founded upon the Four Immeasurable Minds—loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. He encouraged everyone to let compassion guide their actions by refraining from harming or belittling others and by cultivating the boundless love of a mother caring for her child.
Venerable Zhaochu, Abbot of Bodhi Temple, emphasized that peace is not achieved through words alone but through daily practice. In today’s diverse society, he said, harmony begins with understanding and mutual respect. By transforming ourselves, we naturally influence those around us, gradually extending peace throughout society.
Speaking on behalf of the Southern California Chinese Buddhist Sangha Association, Venerable Huidong observed that despite remarkable advances in technology, education, and economic development, the world continues to experience unrest and conflict. The Buddha taught that greed, hatred, and delusion are the root causes of suffering and turmoil. Only by taming these afflictions within our own minds can we cultivate inner peace, promote harmony in society, and ultimately contribute to world peace.
The event concluded with Venerable Piyananda Walpola and the Theravāda monastic community chanting blessings beneath the Bodhi tree, dedicating the merits of the walking pilgrimage to world peace. A vegetarian meal was then offered to all participants, bringing the meaningful gathering to a warm and harmonious close.
Photo Captions
Photos 1–10 by Jonathan Thang
