Buddhist 'walk of compassion' from San Jose to Palo Alto aims to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger
by Mary Gottschalk, San Jose Mercury, Sept 8, 2011
San Jose, CA (USA) -- A 17-mile "walk of compassion" to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger will start in San Jose and end in Palo Alto on Sept. 11.
The second annual Buddhist Global Relief Walk to Feed the Hungry starts at the Friends Meeting House, 1041 Morse St., San Jose, at 9 a.m. and will end in Sarah Wallis Park in Palo Alto.
Walkers will follow El Camino Real, with stops at the locations of meditation groups Chung Tai Zen Center, San Jose Insight Meditation Sangha, San Jose Dharma Punx, Floating Zendo and Buddhi Vihara.
A free vegetarian lunch will be offered at 12:30 p.m. at the Chung Tai Zen Center in Sunnyvale for registered walkers.
The public is invited to join the walkers, make a donation or do both at www.firstgiving.com/buddhistglobalrelief/bgr-walk-to-feed-the-hungry-ca-bay-area.
Participants may walk the entire route, or join and depart anywhere along it. Businesses in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Los Altos are opening their bathrooms for walkers.
Organizers are encouraging walkers "to set a personal intention before walking, and those who wish to walk mindfully in silence may do so but it is not required.
"It will be a time for practice, mindful walking, spreading loving kindness, making spiritual friends and exercise. It will be a pilgrimage of harmony."
During the walk, a call to 650.383.8480 will report where the walkers are on the 17-mile trek.
