Walking…
Buddhist monks are currently undertaking a 120-day, 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” from Texas to Washington, D.C. (October 2025–February 2026) to promote nonviolence, compassion, and unity in the U.S. Led by monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, the pilgrimage aims to foster national healing, encourage mindfulness, and remind people that peace is an internal, daily practice rather than just a destination.
Glory! This is the 51st year of walking while carrying a 12-foot cross around the world (1968–2019). My mind is focused on Jesus! As of October 17, 2019, I’ve walked with the cross 43,326 miles (69,726 km), including every nation, major island group, and territory—for the glory of God. Jesus did it. At the age of 78, I’m still carrying the cross in 2019! This is the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest walk/pilgrimage: 86 million steps.
As you see, there are two very different photos and headlines with one thing in common… walking. I heard about a month ago or so about some monks walking for peace. And after that, I’ve seen it a lot, and I have watched how much praise these monks have gotten from people, newsrooms, papers, and more.
If you’re a well-seasoned Christ follower, you already know how this is about to go down.
But when has the “world” ever been cool with peace? Trick question, never. So the world is run by Satan, who is the prince of lies (John 8:44). And monks are Buddhist, which means they do not believe in God or Jesus. Therefore, we know they are following Satan. How so? There are only two options: God or Satan, no in-between, no gray area.
Now you might be saying, “Wow, Ann is hating on these guys who are just promoting peace and harmony. She’s even saying they are following Satan, which means they would go to hell if they die!” And she calls herself a Christian?
Well actually… yes.
In fact, that is exactly what I am saying, and I have the proof to back it up.
If you look into monks, they are Buddhists. Another religion.
They do not believe in a Creator, God, or Jesus.
They believe worlds arise naturally due to causes and conditions, not because a god made them.
They love karma.
But what really got me, as I was looking into them, is that they have 227 rules to follow as a monk. And if they break any of these rules:
No sexual intercourse
No stealing
No killing a human being
No falsely claiming supernatural spiritual attainments
They are automatically expelled from the monastic community.
Now can someone please explain to me how that is peaceful?
Someone messes up and you kick them out?
I thought they were Buddhist, not Mennonite…
Oh well, anyways, how is that peaceful?
So I had to look up the rule about “no claiming supernatural spiritual attainments falsely.” That means a monk cannot lie about having achieved a higher level of spiritual realization (nirvana).
I asked why this is such a serious rule. Who, you may ask, did I ask? My good friend Mr. Google himself, of course.
Monks are role models: people trust them to be truthful guides in spiritual life.
Spiritual deception is harmful: pretending to have achieved enlightenment can cause others to follow false teachings or develop attachments to lies.
It shows integrity: Buddhism values honesty and mindfulness above all; lying about spiritual powers is a huge moral violation.
Okay, so my next question is: who would know if they are lying if it’s an internal thing, right?
Well, the other monks judge each other based on behavior, speech, and actions.
Here’s the funny part, though they claim that everyone is “on their own life journey.” So you’re telling me if one monk doesn’t like how another monk says or does something, he gets kicked out, even though he’s on his own life journey that they say is okay?
Peaceful, huh?
So then I questioned: do they want other people to be monks? From what I could find, the answer is no. I guess what’s good for the goose ain’t always good for the gander. Boy, am I showing my age.
But why wouldn’t they want people to be monks if it’s such a great life? From what I could see, they know it’s a tough life, giving everything up, and most people won’t do it. But they are “okay” with it because “people are on their own life path.”
Well, I’m pretty sure they are not okay with it, because if being married gets you kicked out, then how are they okay with married people?
It just doesn’t add up, ya know.
This led me to looking into how it all started:
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha himself about 2,500–2,600 years ago in India.
Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who renounced his royal life to seek the end of human suffering. After years of meditation and self-discipline, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. He became known as the Buddha, which means “the awakened one.” After his enlightenment, the Buddha began teaching others how to end suffering and reach enlightenment. People who were inspired by his teachings asked to join him and live a life of full dedication to spiritual practice. The Buddha accepted them and set rules for their conduct, creating the first monastic community (sangha) around his 60–70 early disciples.
So instead of a “self-enlightenment” life, they are living a religion made by a man, just like the other 10,000 religions in the world.
Sexy, right?! (JK)
Would you like a skinny Buddha or a fat Buddha? Who knew there were different denominations of Buddhism?! Well, I knew.
Once again, it’s come pick which religion you would like, kind of thing.
Knowing they had statues, I looked up the rules for these things. And guess what, there are not “rules,” but traditional guidelines and respectful practices.
At this point in my old age, I call it like it is: if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and farts like a duck, then it’s a duck! Wait, I think I got that wrong. Maybe it’s a dog, not a duck. Either way, you know what I mean.
Here are the traditional guidelines (cough cough “rules”):
1. Placement
Statues should be placed high enough to show respect, often above eye level.
They should be clean and well cared for.
Avoid placing statues directly on the floor, in bathrooms, or in disrespectful locations.
2. Posture and attitude
The statue’s posture matters (sitting, standing, reclining, meditating), and it often represents a specific teaching or moment from the Buddha’s life.
Practitioners try to reflect the qualities symbolized by the posture: calm, meditation, compassion.
3. Offerings
Flowers, candles, incense, or small food offerings may be placed in front of the statue.
Purpose: gratitude, mindfulness, and generosity.
Offerings should be clean, simple, and intentional, symbolizing impermanence and letting go of attachment.
4. Bowing or prostrating
Practitioners may bow or prostrate in front of a statue.
Meaning: respect for the Buddha’s life and teachings, not worshipping him as a deity.
Helps cultivate humility and mindfulness.
5. Conduct near the statue
No sitting with your back to the statue or showing disrespect.
Avoid pointing feet at the statue, raising voices, or using it carelessly.
Treat the statue as a reminder of ethical and spiritual ideals.
One thing that scares me is how many “Christians” (people who say they are saved but don’t understand) think these monks walking is such a wonderful thing.
People saying these monks are blessing people or these monks are bringing peace.
Let me ask you something: how is walking doing anything for peace? How is not talking and meditation bringing peace? How is taking people’s food, drink, and flowers peace? How is allowing a dog to walk with you peace? How is not allowing a little child to hug you peace?
It’s not. Short answer: it’s not.
This is an example of an emotional show that Satan uses to trick people into thinking a lie is the truth.
“It can’t hurt anything though, right?”
Wrong!
Tricking people into a religion is not okay. But hey, I get it, they are tricked themselves.
Definitely not a trick into religion, right?!
Okay, now let me tell you about the one and only way to have real peace. Let me tell you about my Jesus.
First off, God made the world and everything in it because nothing has ever happened just by chance. Let’s use our brains, because you know God made those and gave them to you.
Anywho, Jesus is peace and the only way to experience it.
Jesus does not have 227 rules for you to follow. He gave two, yes, two commandments:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Boy, that’s a whole lot of peace, ain’t it?
The only time Jesus said a sin is not forgivable is:
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Matthew 12:31)
Other than that, there is nothing you can do to get “kicked out” of being a Christ follower. And it doesn’t even say you’re kicked out, just not forgiven.
Religion makes up rules so they can kick you out if you don’t follow them. Jesus just wants love and real peace.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”
Jesus touched women to heal and love them.
Jesus talked to everyone.
Jesus wanted people to follow Him and His life.
Jesus didn’t want idols or offerings.
Jesus loved us so much and wanted us to live an eternal life of peace with Him that He actually laid down His life for us.
Peace is Jesus and Jesus only.
If we didn’t need Him, God wouldn’t have sent Him. But we did need Him. Stop fighting God and serving Satan while thinking you’re at peace. You know deep down why you think something like monks walking is so great, because you have an empty hole in your heart you’re trying to fill with something. And Jesus, my friend, is the only thing that will ever fill it.
In the beginning, I showed two photos: one of the monks and one of Arthur Blessitt carrying a cross. The reason why is because I bet anything you’ve seen more about monks than about the cross.
The world hates Jesus and we know why.
And I’m not saying a man carrying a cross is any better than a man walking with a dog. But if you read the stories, he told people about Jesus. His whole mission was to bring Jesus to the world.
See, anyone can walk. But it takes a Christ follower to show and share what real peace is and yes that’s Jesus.
I can say this applies to my everyday life. It’s easy to get up, go to work, eat, sleep, pray, read, and do it again. But it’s more than that. When you’re a Christ follower, you do all that to glorify Him, but also talk to others about Him. Do the hard things we don’t want to do with a good attitude (my struggle) to glorify Him.
Do life with Jesus. That’s what walking for peace really is.
I pray for every single Buddhist that you do find a relationship with Jesus. It is an amazing life with Him. And I hope you join me in praying for them.
~ Ann Lester ~