I saw a video from the venerable monk Bhikkhu Pannakara, who is leading the walk, saying that they thought it would only be a few people watching them. Instead, he says, "If we walk twelve miles, there are twelve miles of people to greet us."

They are carrying on an ancient tradition. Historically Buddhist monks were wanderers, but even after they established monasteries, they engaged in long walks for peace after disasters, anywhere that needed healing.

Amazing as it is, this walk is not new.