Kaylee Roberts, Staff Writer 

A small group of Buddhist monks has been moving steadily along America’s highways, feet carrying them mile by mile across the country. Their journey, known as the Walk for Peace, spans roughly 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington, D.C. According to the Walk for Peace website, they hope to encourage “non-harm, kindness, and mindful living.” 

The Walk for Peace was created by a group of over two dozen monks affiliated with Huong Dao Temple in Fort Worth, Texas. Spiritual leader Bhikkhu Pannakara said in a written statement, “We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us.” The walk comes at a time when conversations surrounding peace, violence, and political division continue to dominate national discourse. The journey is meant to be a quiet response to these tensions, offering reflection rather than confrontation. By traveling on foot and relying on community support along the way, the monks aim to model the values they promote. Since October 2025, they have been traveling north, gaining attention online and from locals who greet them along their route. 

On January 19th and 20th, the group passed through Greensboro, NC. Mallie Griffin, a fourth-year student at UNC Greensboro, witnessed the monks pass through High Point, NC. “The atmosphere was so unified,” Griffin states. “As they walked by, it was incredibly emotional, seeing how they were making this trek in the 21-degree weather.” 

Hayley King, a third-year student, was at the Greensboro Grandover Resort when the monks were welcomed into Greensboro. “[It] was so peaceful and silent once the monks came on stage.” King added, “The message I took away was to make every day your spiritual day.” Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter, alongside City Council members, declared January 19th, 2026, “Walk for Peace Day.” 

As the monks paused in the Triad area, around 9,000 people gathered at Truist Point Stadium. “This is the time – this is the call for us all to be awake,” Bhikkhu Pannakara stated to onlookers. The timing of the monks’ arrival also coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, whose message of peace, community members noted, felt deeply rooted within the monk’s values and goal. Both the Walk for Peace and King’s legacy emphasize nonviolence and compassion as tools for social change. 

This pilgrimage, the first of its kind in the U.S., has not come without trouble and trials. According to ABC13, the group was walking down US 90 when they were struck by a car, leading to two monks being hospitalized. The incident prompted renewed attention to pedestrian safety, especially for long-distance walkers traveling along major roadways. Venerable Maha Dam, whose leg was amputated due to his injuries, told CBS News that he is “very, very proud” of the impact they have made on the community so far. 

Aloka, an Indian pariah dog and the monks’ loyal companion since 2022, underwent surgery to repair an old leg injury that occurred when he first joined the monks in India. Aloka has become a recognizable symbol of the Walk for Peace, frequently appearing in photos and social media updates alongside the monks. Supporters have followed his recovery closely, viewing him as a reminder of resilience throughout the journey. An Instagram post by Walk for Peace U.S. states that after his surgery in South Carolina, he was reunited with the monks and is doing well. 

As the group continues toward Washington, D.C., they plan to mark the conclusion of the journey by petitioning Congress to recognize Vesak—a major Buddhist holiday commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death—as a federal observance. Organizers say this step is symbolic; with Washington, D.C. being viewed as the “heart” of America, they hope to reach the heart of all Americans. 

For those who encounter them, the moment is brief. The monks continue on, traffic resumes, and daily routines return. Still, the walk offers a reminder that peace can be expressed through the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. 

Headline image courtesy of WHQR.