Walking Alone, Never Alone
Reflections on a 30-Day Peace Pilgrimage Across Canada
By Kanshin Ikeda
Kanshin Ikeda: A Pilgrim for Peace
Kanshin Ikeda is a member of Nipponzan Myohoji, a Buddhist order founded by Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii and known for its commitment to world peace, nonviolence, and the abolition of nuclear weapons. Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, Nipponzan Myohoji practitioners have undertaken peace walks and pilgrimages in different parts of the world, carrying prayers for peace and reconciliation.
Venerable Ikeda’s recent pilgrimage across Canada continues this tradition. After completing a 38-day pilgrimage from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., he traveled to Canada and undertook a 30-day journey from Toronto to Montreal via Ottawa. Walking largely without prearranged accommodation, he relied on the generosity and kindness of people he encountered along the way.
His journey was also connected to the memory of Hiroshima. Before beginning the Canadian pilgrimage, Ikeda met Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and later offered a prayer before the Flame of Peace that she had brought from Hiroshima Peace Park.
What follows is Ikeda’s personal account of that pilgrimage and of the many people whose kindness sustained him along the way.
Namumyohorengekyo
This time, I undertook a 30-day pilgrimage from Toronto to Montreal via Ottawa and safely arrived at the Sri Lankan temple in Montreal on August 16. Along the journey, I received many kind offers of drinks, food, donations, and lodging.
I am deeply grateful for your support, which made this pilgrimage possible.
I had already completed a 38-day pilgrimage from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., in the United States and arrived in Toronto on July 14.
On July 15, I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. We shared a strong desire for peace, especially for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
On July 18, I offered a prayer before the Flame of Peace, which Ms. Thurlow had brought from Hiroshima Peace Park, and began my pilgrimage.
Similar to my pilgrimage in America, no accommodations had been organized in advance, but thanks to everyone’s kindness, I was able to find lodging one after another, and I only had to sleep outdoors once.
This time, Ellen Cilley, who lives in America, created a website for my Canadian pilgrimage and updated it daily with photos and reports about my journey. Ellen and many others also helped find accommodations for me.
When I could not find lodging, several people even paid for my accommodation.
I am deeply grateful to all the kind-hearted people who supported and encouraged me through the website and throughout my journey.
I have traveled alone through several countries before, but this was the first time I received this kind of support.
I was walking alone—with the Buddha by my side—but it was incredibly reassuring, and I was very grateful.
The Lotus Sutra states: “A person of transformation will appear and will surely protect the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra.”
This time, I truly felt the truth of that passage.
The Buddha appeared in this world to guide all people to Buddhahood and to transform this world into a pure Buddha-land. Now, 2,600 years after the passing of Shakyamuni Buddha, we live in the Latter Day of the Law, a time of constant conflict and war.
I will continue to pray and walk this path for all people, including myself, to attain Buddhahood and for a peaceful world.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped and supported me along the way. I also express my deepest gratitude for the generous donations I received from many people.
Thank you very much.
Finally, I would like to share the words of the most venerable Nichidatu Fujii, founder of Nipponzan Myohoji:
Civilization doesn’t mean
To have electric lights or airplanes or nuclear bombs.
Civilization means
Not killing people,
Not destroying things,
Not making war.
Civilization means
To hold mutual affection
And to respect each other.
Editor’s Note
This personal account was shared with Elevate by Kanshin Ikeda and is published with minor editorial adjustments for clarity and style. The doctrinal references in this reflection—including the Latter Day of the Law, Buddhahood, and the Lotus Sutra’s promise of protection—reflect the author’s own religious tradition and perspective.
Elevate shares a deep connection with the contemporary Buddhist peace movement through its engagement with the Walk for Peace, a 2,300-mile pilgrimage across the United States that concluded at the Lincoln Memorial in February 2026. In that spirit, we present Venerable Ikeda’s account as another expression of Buddhist practice in action—where prayer, perseverance, compassion, and the kindness of strangers converge in the pursuit of peace.
