Barefoot monk helps raise $20k in fun-run

Before stepping down as a spiritual adviser and retreating to a cave for months, Bhante Jason Chan of Pal Buddhist School led 43 people in a meditative fun-run.

Bhante Jason Chan, centre, leading the 39 walkers of Pal Buddhist School at this year's fun-run. The 5 hour time they clocked was a whole hour slower than they planned.

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Before stepping down as a spiritual adviser and retreating to a cave for months, Bhante Jason Chan of Pal Buddhist School at Canley Vale led 39 participants and four monastics in a meditative fun-run.

The group raised $20,400 in donations and completed the City2Surf in just over five hours – one slower than their four-hour target.

“I’m going to make a special effort to come last,” Mr Chan said before the event.

“It’s about doing things with awareness and wisdom to get ahead, and that’s an important message in this busy world.”

Participants had the option of completing the event barefoot, in meditative silence or by engaging in mindful conversation.

Buddhist monk Bhante Jason Chan together with some students ahead of his 14km barefoot walk. (AAP IMAGE/Matthew Vasilescu)

Last week Mr Chan announced he will be stepping down from his post as the school’s spiritual adviser, but he said he will continue to act as an ambassador.

“I will continue to spread the school’s good name,” he said. “I will … drop in anytime I happen to be wandering by.”

He plans to attend the annual Rains Retreat, where the former lawyer will spend three months in a Blue Mountains cave in meditative silence.

Pal Buddhist School is the only Buddhist school to teach primary and secondary students.