On October 24, BGR will host its walk in San Francisco (there's also a San Jose walk this Sunday, October 11). The walk will be led by Ayya Santussika, an Indiana born Buddhist nun who moved to Mountain View to become a software developer and became inspired by the area’s vibrant Buddhist community. Part of the funds raised by the walk--last year’s walk raised more than $13,000--will go to San Francisco’s Project Homeless Connect, which provides food and health care to vulnerable populations.

These walks have been going on in San Francisco since 2012, but this year’s event is particularly special. Bhikkhu Bodhi--the man whose impassioned editorial started the organization--will be attending.

“That’s a big honor,” said Sonali Aggarwal, the organizer of this year’s San Francisco walk. “This is going to be even more special. [Attendees have] been just reading his books and now they can personally meet him.”

Buddhism has enjoyed a long history in San Francisco, thanks to its large communities of Asian immigrants, who each brought their version of the religion and helped spread it across the US. The 3.3 mile walk echoes this history, with a route that winds through the city’s Asian neighborhoods and serves as a walking timeline of Buddhism's spread throughout Asia.

“[Buddhism] came to America last, so we go to the Mindfulness Center last,” said Aggarwal. “We start in Chinatown, Japantown, the Vietnamese temple, in a similar fashion to how Buddhism spread in Asia. We are following the same pattern.”

Last year's group at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, where Rev. Ronald K. Kobata is leading them in devotional chanting (Kevin K Cheung)

People can help the group’s work by donating or volunteering, and if they’re interested in the walk, signing up a group for the event and finding sponsors.

Aggarwal hopes the event will appeal to people who are attracted to the now zeitgeisty ideas of mindfulness and want to learn more about its Buddhist roots--not to mention have a fun day enjoying a sunny walk through some of San Francisco’s most beautiful places of worship.

“It’s a great way to have fun, meet like minded people who are interested in both meditation and seeing how Buddhism started and spread around in the world, and also help out with the global relief,” said Aggarwal.

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