By Miles Layton

EDENTON — An interview with Gary Stanley, director of youth ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, revealed how a chance experience with a group of Buddhist monks has inspired a new community peace initiative in northeastern North Carolina.

Stanley told the Albemarle Observer that folks are organizing a public event centered on silent walking and reflection — Sunday, March 22, to start at St. Paul’s Parish Hall, maybe 15 minutes up and back, route to be determined, but probably Broad Street. The idea took shape after Stanley traveled to see the Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace in Virginia.

“I went to go see the Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace, and so inspired and so moving,” he said.

When asked where he saw them, Stanley explained, “I went to this very small town in Gasburg, Virginia. They had just crossed the state line that day.”

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Stanley said his daughter had first seen the monks near Apex High School, and they had planned to visit together before weather delayed the opportunity. “She sent me a link Wednesday morning, a week ago, and said they’re gonna be in Gasburg, Virginia, and I said, ‘I’m on it,’” he said. “So I went there, saw them walk, and they did their chant, and a meditation, and a reflection, and very moving, and I came back home.”

Asked how the experience affected him, Stanley responded emotionally. “Very moved. I mean, I wept. It’s just so inspiring. How can you not be?” he said.

Stanley said he was impressed by the monks’ purpose and discipline. “They have no agenda. They’re not political. They planned it three years ago. It’s not something that they are doing as a reaction to,” he said. “It’s something they do other places historically. So it’s not new. It’s new to us, not new to them.”

Stanley shared details about the journey. “One of the monks has been wearing the same tunic for ten years. This is twenty, twenty-four hundred miles,” he said. “They started in Fort Worth, and they’re gonna end in DC. They’ve drawn hundreds and thousands of people. The governor of Virginia has awarded them some honorary thing when they were going through Richmond.”

He added that one monk had completed even longer walks in the past. “It’s only his ninth or tenth longest. I don’t know how accurate I am, but the point is, he’s gone on several other walks longer,” Stanley said. “Just to see their commitment, and their loyalty, and their discipline, oh, my gosh.”

The experience left Stanley feeling challenged. “I am challenged, and that’s why I think we’re gonna do something,” he said.

He outlined his vision for the local event. “We walk in silence, so to walk fifteen minutes in one direction in silence, walk fifteen minutes back, and then we do have a brief ten, fifteen-minute reflection on peace,” he said. “We might have refreshments, or pizza, or chili, or soup. That’s all yet to be hashed out, but I’m excited.”

Stanley said the gathering will be open to everyone. “I’m just gonna put it out there. Show up, anybody, anywhere, anyhow, adult or youth, or family, or whatever the case may be,” he said.

When asked about his hopes for the event, Stanley emphasized its deeper purpose. “I hope to send a reminder that we strive to be a people of peace,” he said. “That’s all we can do, is chip away at it and try to be a more peaceful people.”

Stanley added that he hopes the event will motivate others. “As I was inspired and challenged by them, I hope this event would inspire and challenge others to continue this momentum,” he said.