USA NEWS | Buddhist Monks on ‘Peace Walk’ amid bitter cold temperatures across the U.S.

Buddhist monks are currently on a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., a journey that began on October 26, 2025.  As of January 16, 2026, the group is traveling through the southeastern U.S., having recently passed through South Carolina and Georgia, and is expected to reach Richmond, Virginia, in early to mid-February 2026. 

The monks, led by Bhikkhu Pannakara from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, are walking to promote peace, compassion, and national healing.  They maintain a meditative pace, often walking barefoot, and engage communities with quiet presence, blessings, and symbolic peace bracelets.  The journey has drawn widespread public support, with people gathering along the route to offer flowers, prayers, and emotional connection. 

A notable companion on the journey is Aloka, a rescue dog adopted from Kolkata, India, who symbolizes “light” and has become a beloved figure.  The monks were recently involved in a serious accident on November 19, 2025, when their escort vehicle was struck, resulting in the amputation of one monk’s leg; he has since recovered and returned to the group. 

The walk is not a political protest but a spiritual offering to awaken inner peace. Upon arriving in Washington, D.C., the monks plan to ask Congress to recognize Vesak, the day of Buddha’s birth, as a federal holiday. 

• Purpose: To awaken inner peace, promote compassion, understanding, and unity, not as a protest but as a spiritual offering.
• Journey: Started in Texas in October 2025, crossing 10 states and heading towards Washington D.C., with plans to ask Congress to recognize Vesak as a federal holiday.
• Participation: People can join by walking behind them quietly, offering flowers, and maintaining a respectful presence, with the goal of fostering community connection.
• Key Figure: A stray dog named Aloka (“light”) has become a beloved symbol of their journey. 

• Myanmar (2007): Thousands of monks marched in Yangon and Mandalay against the military regime, sparking large-scale demonstrations.
• Historical Music: “Monck’s March” refers to a traditional melody and ceremonial march associated with General Monck’s entry into London in 1660, featuring Northumbrian pipes and traditional cries. 

• Check local news and social media (like Facebook pages for the Walk for Peace) for updates on their route through specific states like North Carolina and Virginia.
• You can join their peaceful walk by following their lead and maintaining a quiet, respectful presence. 

Follow their journey live via the official Walk for Peace tracker or on social media.