SINA Hospitality Hosts Walk for Peace Monks at SpringHill Suites Chester

On Sunday, February 1st, SINA Hospitality had the distinct honor of welcoming Buddhist monks participating in the historic Walk for Peace to our SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chester property. This meaningful midday stop offered the monks and dozens of community members a chance to pause, reflect, warm up, and connect in the spirit of peace and compassion.

A Journey of Peace Across America

The Walk for Peace represents one of the most ambitious spiritual pilgrimages in recent American history. Since October 26, 2025, approximately two dozen Buddhist monks led by Venerable Pannakara have been walking 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., carrying a message of healing, unity, and compassion to communities across ten states.

The monks observe strict ascetic practices during their journey, including eating only one meal per day and resting beneath trees when possible, as a demonstration of humility, endurance, and spiritual focus. Their pilgrimage is not a protest or political statement, but rather an invitation for all Americans to reconnect with the peace that already exists within each of us.

The 120-day pilgrimage will culminate on February 13, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol, where the monks plan to deliver a message symbolizing healing and renewal for our nation.

Rest and Reflection in Chester

When we learned the Walk for Peace would pass through Chester, we immediately wanted to offer our SpringHill Suites property as a place of rest and respite, especially with the sub-freezing conditions. Our team prepared a warm and welcoming space where the monks could pause during their journey, and we opened our doors to community members who wanted to participate in this special moment.

The response from the Chesterfield community was overwhelming. Local residents, families, and people from across the Richmond region stopped by throughout the afternoon to offer support, share in moments of quiet reflection, and witness this extraordinary pilgrimage passing through Central Virginia.

“This is what hospitality truly means,”  said Ravi Patel, CEO of SINA Hospitality. “When we have the opportunity to support something as meaningful as the Walk for Peace, it reminds us why we do what we do. These monks are carrying a message of healing and peace, and we’re honored that we could be part of their journey.”

Living Our Values

At SINA Hospitality, we believe our success is inseparable from the vitality of the communities we serve. From our board positions with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce and Brightpoint Community College to our ongoing support of regional tourism initiatives, we’ve always understood that being a good corporate citizen means showing up when it matters most.

Hosting the Walk for Peace monks was a natural extension of these values. In a time of division and uncertainty, the monks’ message that peace begins within each person’s heart and extends outward to families, communities, and nations resonates deeply with our own belief that businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the social fabric that sustains us all.

Our SpringHill Suites Chester property has become a beloved fixture in the community since opening in 2022, and was honored as the 2024 Richmond Region Tourism Hotel of the Year. Events like Sunday’s gathering remind us that hotels are more than buildings; they’re gathering places where communities come together during moments that matter.

A Message That Endures

As the monks continued their journey north toward Richmond and eventually Washington, D.C., they left our community with something precious: a reminder that peace is not a destination but a daily practice. In the simple act of walking with intention and purpose, they demonstrated that meaningful change begins with individual commitment and extends through the connections we build with one another.

For everyone at SINA Hospitality, Sunday was a powerful reminder of why we’ve spent nearly three decades building hotels in the communities we call home. We don’t just construct buildings; we create spaces where important moments can unfold, where people can gather, and where the values that bind us together can be celebrated and renewed.

To the Venerable Monks of the Walk for Peace: thank you for your dedication, your message, and the example you set for all of us. To the Chester community: thank you for showing up and demonstrating the warmth and hospitality that makes Central Virginia such a special place to live and work.

Learn More About the Walk for Peace

To follow the monks as they complete the final days of their pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., or to learn more about the Dhammacetiya project that inspired this journey, visit
https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/