Sponsored World Peace Walk - Tharpaland to World Peace Temple, Manjushri KMC
Walked by Mahabodhi’s resident Iron Man, Jon Murray
Below is a short photo diary of the sponsored world peace walk Jon attempted in April 2011 from Tharpaland IRC to Manjushri KMC in Ulverston, a whopping 108 mile journey.
Bag packing in the attic at Tharpaland, feels very special to be starting this peace walk from such a holy place.
Leaving Tharpaland by its familiar path, but this time by foot and trying not to think about how much further I will have to walk!
On the road out to Lockerbie, need to make Lockerbie by sundown otherwise its pitching the tent in a field and theres just too much cattle around for an undisturbed nights sleep.
Made it to Lockerbie, feet a bit battered and bruised but the good news is K Changchen has kindly offered her campervan to sleep in – walking into the wild, campervans, I’m living the dream!
After a well earned sleep having walked 11 miles from Tharpaland to Lockerbie last night, I set off early this morning with the sole aim to get to Carlisle – 26 miles away before sunset! Feet and legs are stiff and a little bruised but following a lovely breakfast with K Changchen, my spirits are up and I set off again at 8am for the second leg.
After several hours on the road, I eventually reach Ecclefechan where I stop for a quick bite, peel the trainers off and frantically apply tiger balm and Siang pure oil onto my feet before they drop off and generally amuse the locals as they pass by and wonder planet I’m on:)
Leaving Ecclefechan, I prepare for a long and ardous trek along the cycle route of the M74, plenty time now to reflect on the reasons for this walk and the kindness I have received from so many wishing me well. There’s also time to do a puja as its Tsog day today!
My theory that Gretna was only around the corner was quickly dispelled when I next came to look up and see how far I had to go – this road, as you will see just kept going and going, with no turn or dip, just 4 miles of straight flat road between me and my half way point for stopping.
After three or four hours of walking, I finally arrive at Kirkpatrick Fleming and what I think is the outskirts of Gretna. Cruising past the small village, I realise that I am happier to have arrived than its inhabitants are – this weather beaten, sun burnt, crooked walking nomad seems a long way from home.
Leaving the small town, I then found myself back on this very long and straight road and wondered if there was ever an end!
To the point where delerium sets in!
Eventually, I limp into Gretna Green where finding a park bench I inspect the foot damage and slap on the tiger balm.
Following a short rest, I then head for the English border and navigate my way along the M74 cycle route and grassy lay-bys….
Until I arrive at the outskirts of Carlisle and crossing the water of Eden and checking out some nice graffiti, I find myself at the entrance of Carlisle train station where I collapse in a heap!
Finally, I manage to limp into Carlisle where I finish leg 1 of the journey.
A good place to begin the second stage of the walk for world peace – Uma Kadampa Buddhist Centre.
Leaving the City by public footpaths, I turn south west and down narrow paths where I reach the first signs of hope that Im on the right path – A Cumbria Way waymark – must mean I’m only 65 miles from Ulverston!
Nice being back on the road, or lack of it for that matter. Cows, their calves and grumpy bulls are the only things to navigate here.
Pit stop in half a mile, then as its been a red hot day, will try to climb High Pike, the highest peak of the walk by sun set and make camp on the mountain.
Jaw dropping views after an hour’s ascent, but the camera doesn’t capture the scale!
Made it! Settle into Lingy Hut Bothy on top of High Pike – a relentless weather beaten and drafty abode, yet a sanctuary of peace and rest for the weary pilgrim. Pasta and hot chocolate never tasted better!
After a hearty breakfast of porridge and coffee, set off on the descent, passing some puzzled looking mountain locals.
Navigating the cramped valley between Skiddaw and Blencathra, the landscape eventually opens into a great expanse to reveal the first signs of Keswick and of keep in right lane traffic!
After a re fuel and pit stop in Keswick, its time to hit the trail again and make way around Derwent Water – midge territory!
Get a useful tip off that there are caves around here big enough to sleep in and so leave the path to explore and find somewhere to camp for the night.
Following a restless night’s sleep in the cave where my sleeping mat was eaten by the local stoat, I quickly retreated to the nearby cafe where the speciality was a pint of tea and a pavement size slab of flapjack!
Day 3
After breakfast, its a long ride in the saddle to Langdale – 20miles away and passing through some of the most hostile mountain range in the district. We ascend over Stake Pass, at 480metres, the highest point on the trail south of Keswick and then descend into the eerie valley of Meckelden, flanked by the Langdale pikes and where its a relentless and rocky home straight into Dungeon Ghyll where we camp in, wait for it, a campsite for the night!
Day 4
After the first hot shower in days and a hearty pub meal the night before, were ready to hit the trail again, leaving the great mountains behind and following less exposed paths into small quiet villages which eventually lead us to Coniston where we rush to refuel at a closing cafe. But at only 5pm there are hours of daylight left so we head off again pacing parallel to the immense expanse of Coniston water and eventually heading off into the boggy wilderness of Blawith where we loose all daylight and all sense of direction and sanity as we reach Beacon Tarn, a remote lake at an exposed altitude – still this is our shelter for the night – hope it doesnt rain, why didnt I bring my tent!
Day 5
It’s up at the crack of dawn today as I’m supposed to be back at work in Edinburgh by 9am! Cattle and Bulls a plenty this morning and we try to navigate as smoothly as possible through the heard – run the gauntlet! Then we drop down into Ulverston and reach the end of the Cumbrian Way. The end of the pilgrimage however is only a mile or so away, so muster all the energy left in my failing body and full speed to the World Peace Temple.
Made it!!! The sight is overwhelming yet a wonderful experience as I realise I’ve managed to raise a large amount of funds for our Dharma Centre in Edinburgh and only lost three toe nails in the process!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who took an interest in this sponsored event, for your kind thoughts, prayers, shelter, generous donations and help I received along each stage of the pilgrimage. I hope this inspires others to consider the benefits and purpose of setting out on a pilgrimage in future so that others may enjoy this spiritual practice as much as I have.