Monk’s Peace Walk Arrives in Area

A Buddhist monk who is walking barefoot from San Francisco in the latest leg of a journey to promote world peace passed through Ventura County on Monday en route to Los Angeles for a millennial peace ceremony.

Bhikkhu Buddha Dhatu’s journey, which has covered about 5,400 miles in 12 countries, is being funded by thousands of followers worldwide, including a number of Hollywood celebrities.

Dhatu, 46, has covered the miles in segments, starting the first leg with the Dalai Lama in January 1998 in Bodhigaya, India, where believers say the Buddha attained enlightenment. Dhatu, a resident of Sydney, Australia, said he plans to finish the walk with a final leg from Melbourne to Sydney in time for the Summer Olympic Games in September.

In the company of two Buddhist nuns and a number of lay assistants, Dhatu arrived in San Francisco on Nov. 26. Dhatu, who is prohibited by his religious beliefs from handling money, relies on donations of food from supporters and followers. He generally flies between countries, using donated airline tickets.

Chang Liampetehakul, who owns Tipp’s Thai on Main Street in downtown Ventura, said he first saw the entourage shortly after it entered the county Friday afternoon. Moved by their mission, Liampetehakul offered the group food and shelter for the evening.

“It seemed like a miracle,” said the restaurateur. “I don’t see monks in America at all, and then I saw him outside my restaurant.”

The group then walked to Port Hueneme on Saturday. They were taken in Saturday and Sunday evening by a Los Angeles County family who had heard of their journey over a Vietnamese-language radio station. On Monday, they were returned to the spot where they had stopped Saturday afternoon, at the corner of Ventura and Hueneme roads. Then they headed to a spot near the gates of the Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station.

After a vegetarian lunch--the troupe does not eat meat--the group set off down Pacific Coast Highway with an RV carrying donated supplies driving close behind.

Dhatu, who was seriously injured as a boy in a napalm attack during the Vietnam War, said he hopes his walk will inspire inner peace and compassion for other people.

“You need to have love in your heart so you will have inner peace, and then world peace,” he said.

The millennial celebration, scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. on the Santa Monica Pier, will feature a release of doves and prayers for peace in the next century. A number of celebrities, including actor Billy Zane, who is helping finance the mission, are expected to attend.