Before heading out for a big day of running and events, we dropped by Eagle View Elementary School. Students there contributed artwork to the Oneness-World Art project. Ultimately, there will be an exhibition of art from elementary students in each of the 50 states.
We gratefully accepted an invitation to visit the beautiful Sri Venkateswara Temple in Fairfax, VA. Kathiyayini, the President of the temple, led our tour through various rooms and rituals.
We joined Hindu priests and other members of the temple for a brief meditation of chants and Prasad ("blessed food").
Raghvan Swami prepared a delicious Indian breakfast. Legend has it that he can prepare a meal for 1000 people in just one hour!
It quickly became obvious that we would be running today with very full stomachs!
Sarankhuu from Mongolia carries a bag of rice--just a small bit of the provisions donated to the Peace Run by the Lotus Temple.
Off we go!
Our next stop was a brief visit to the office of Michelle Davis-Younger, Mayor of the City of Manassas. Along with some colleagues and friends, she welcomed our team and spoke beautifully about the importance of inner peace when facing the myriad challenges of daily life.
Mandy North, Lead Pastor of the Manassas Church of the Brethren, stopped by to hold the Peace Church.
Somewhere in Virginia, Madina's ponytail goes rogue!
"Seek peace and pursue it." It must have been kizmet for us to come across this sign today.
Saikhnaa and Madina ended up in a bamboo forest. (Not AI!)
Salil, Executive Director of the Peace Run, is better at running than parking.
Devashishu, Director of Peace Run operations in Europe, has jumped the pond and joined the U.S. team for several weeks. We're glad he's brought his good humor, hard work, and running shoes.
Our mid-day stop was Wat Lao Buddhavong Buddhist Temple in Catlett, VA. Prior to running onto their premises, we had no idea what was in store...
Vivienne Seumsouk met us at the road and ran the Peace Torch in to the temple grounds.
We ended up staying for two hours, participating in Lao Buddhist spiritual rites, making new friends, and of course enjoying another large, delicious meal!
A large mural showing the Buddha at the foot of the Bodhi tree.
The 99-year-old Venerable Abbot holds the Peace Torch.
Bounchanh Senthavong served as hostess and translator throughout our visit.
Speaking with a Buddhist nun who spreads her time between Laos, Montreal, and the U.S.
The Venerable Abbot gave a blessing to the Peace Run team and then created for each of us a "sacred thread" bracelet symbolizing protection and luck.
We were surprised and honored to meet with Med Mingsisouphanth, one of monks who participated in the recent Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington D.C. He shared with us many tales from the journey!
A fragrant and delectable Lao-style meal
Our daily reports seem to have alot of these shots of the Peace Run team eating... Good thing we have many miles to cover on foot!
Our hosts at the temple joined us for the meal.
And then they provided oodles of snacks for the road.
Before our departure, everyone present participated in a spontaneous, silent Peace Walk on the temple grounds.
The Venerable Abbot led the way.
Group photo on the dragon structure!
We thanked our gracious hostesses with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Jharna-Kala print (color artwork by the Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy).
Posing for a sculpture perhaps?
Thank you for letting us briefly park our van in your parking lot--and for holding the Peace Torch!
Sarankhuu is sometimes calm and focused...
... and sometimes bouncing with energy and enthusiasm!
In every direction we look, Virginia is green, plush and beautiful.
A big thank you to Kanak Restaurant for providing flavorful biryani for our team's evening meal.
