A group of Buddhist monks has embarked on a remarkable long-distance pilgrimage across the United States known as the Walk for Peace, a journey dedicated to promoting peace, compassion, and nonviolence.
Initiated by monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, the walk began on October 26, 2025, and is expected to conclude in Washington, D.C. in February 2026. Over the course of approximately 110 days, the monks will travel nearly 2,300 miles on foot, moving at a contemplative, meditative pace.
Rooted in the teachings of Gautama Buddha, the Walk for Peace is intended to raise awareness of loving-kindness, compassion, and mindful presence in a time of global uncertainty. Nineteen monks from the Vietnamese Theravada Buddhist tradition, affiliated with the Huong Dao Temple, are participating in the pilgrimage.
The route carries the monks through the southeastern United States, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas, before continuing north through Virginia and onward to the nation’s capital. Along the way, they pause in towns and cities to quietly engage with local communities—not through political advocacy, but through presence, dialogue, and walking meditation. Some members of the group, including head monk Bhikkhu Pannakara, are completing the journey barefoot as an expression of humility and spiritual discipline.
The monks are also accompanied by a rescue dog named Aloka, who has become a gentle symbol of companionship and compassion on the road. Their journey has drawn attention and encouragement from communities they pass through, with many people stopping to learn about the walk, receive a blessing bracelet, or simply share a moment of stillness.
Through this pilgrimage, the Walk for Peace offers a living reminder of the power of mindful action and the enduring relevance of compassion in everyday life.
