Temple joins interfaith peace walk at the Capitol
Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan, YK Chalamcherla, Reverends Bob and Patti Oshita lead the Sunday’s Best Peace Walk at the State Capitol on June 22, 2025. (Photo Courtesy of George Warren)
As chaplains for the California State Assembly, Reverends Bob and Patti Oshita joined religious leaders throughout Sacramento County for an interfaith peace walk at the State Capitol. People from different faiths linked arms in unity as they walked on the Capitol grounds.
The "Sunday’s Best: Faith, Justice, Mercy & Health Peace Walk" took place on Sunday, June 22, on the West Steps of the Capitol. Other speakers included Sister Michelle Gorman, chaplain to the California State Senate; Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan, the first Muslim who formerly served as chaplain for the State Assembly; YK Chalamcherla, Folsom Cordova school board member and representative of the Hindu community; and Pastor Efrem Smith of Midtown Covenant Church.
We are living through some tense and troubled times around the world, said Rev. Bob. “We need to open our eyes and see that we are all one humanity, sharing this one and only Earth.”
Throughout history, said Rev. Patti, “spiritual philosophers, poets, and teachers have long recognized that all human disharmony is rooted in being selfish and self-centered. We all intuitively know that greed and selfishness make us lose sight, that we are all interconnected and one.”
In addition to Buddhist teachings, the Oshitas shared some of their favorite quotes and poems. One came from the Dalai Lama, who called on nations to educate young minds and nurture kindness and caring in young hearts. And one from famed basketball coach John Wooden, who said that “happiness begins where selfishness ends.”
One of the Oshitas’ favorite poems came from Chuang Tsu, a Chinese Daoist poet and philosopher:
When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten,
When the belt fits, the belly is forgotten,
When the mind is right, ‘for’ and ‘against’ are forgotten.
“When our minds awaken to the oneness of humanity, when our minds are right,” explained Rev. Bob, “there can be no ‘for’ and ‘against,’ for selfishness is melted away.”
Rev. Patti shared a line from the Muslim poet Rumi, who said, “beyond right and wrong, beyond good and bad, there is a field; I will meet you there.” In other words, said Rev. Patti, “when we awaken to the oneness of life, we begin to care. For awakening to our shared humanity is the seed of compassion.”
Joining the Oshitas in the peace walk were Buddhist Church of Sacramento President Bobby Tanaka and temple members Katharine Dickson, Sherri Inenaga, Sharon Ito and George Warren. The event also featured a gospel choir of volunteers from the community, including Keiko Makishima and Merv Maruyama from the Sacramento Betsuin Choir.
The event was organized by Martin Ross, deputy director of the nonprofit Health Education Council, who the Sacramento Bee recently named one of the top leaders changing the region’s future.
-Written by Sharon Ito and photographed by George Warren
