Buddhist monks head to DC to finish a ‘Walk for Peace’ that captivated
millions
[February 10, 2026]
By TIFFANY STANLEY and DEEPA BHARATH
WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Buddhist monks is set to reach Washington,
D.C., on foot Tuesday, capping a trek from Texas that has captivated the
country.
The monks in their saffron robes have become fixtures on social media,
along with their rescue dog Aloka.
They walk to advocate for peace. That simple message has resonated
across the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political
divisions. Thousands have gathered along Southern roadsides to watch the
monks’ quiet, single-file procession that began in late October.
“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue
practicing mindfulness and find peace,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu
Pannakara, the group’s soft-spoken leader who has taught about
mindfulness at stops along the way.
The monks plan to mark the last days of their Walk for Peace with
outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the
Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.
“Their long journey and gentle witness invite us all to deepen our
commitment to compassion and the work of peace in our communities,” said
Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, who will help host an
interfaith reception for the monks at the cathedral.
The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies.
Millions have followed them online, and crowds have greeted them at
numerous venues, from a church in Opelika, Alabama, to City Hall in
Richmond, Virginia.
Mark Duykers, a retired mechanical engineer who practices mindfulness,
said he and his wife will drive 550 miles (885 kilometers) from Ann
Arbor, Michigan, to Washington to see the monks.
“In these divisive times, we saw entire towns in the Bible Belt coming
out for these monks — having no idea of what Buddhism is — but being
uplifted and moved by it,” he said. “That’s inspirational.”
Nineteen monks began the 2,300-mile (3,700 kilometer) journey from the
Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth on Oct. 26, 2025. They
came from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the globe, led by
Pannakara, who is vice president of the Fort Worth temple.
While in the U.S. capital, they plan to submit a request to lawmakers to
declare Vesak — Buddha’s birthday — a national holiday. But, Pannakara
and others have emphasized that is not the walk’s goal.
[to top of second column]
|
Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the temple, said the walk is
neither a political movement nor is it focused on advocacy or
legislation.
“It’s a spiritual offering — an invitation to live peace through
everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts,” he said. “We
believe when peace is cultivated within, it naturally ripples
outward into society.”
The trek has had its perils, and local law enforcement officers have
provided security. In November outside Houston, the monks were
walking on the side of a highway when their escort vehicle was hit
by a truck. Two monks were injured; one had his leg amputated.
Some of the monks, including Pannakara, have walked barefoot or in
socks for most of the journey to feel the ground directly and be
present in the moment. As they have pressed on through snow and
cold, they’ve at times donned winter boots.
Peace walks are a cherished tradition in Theravada Buddhism.
Pannakara first encountered Aloka, an Indian Pariah dog whose name
means “divine light” in Sanskrit, during a 112-day journey across
India in 2022.
The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian
technique taught by the Buddha as core to attaining enlightenment.
It focuses on the mind-body connection, observing breath and
physical sensations to understand reality, impermanence and
suffering.
On Tuesday, the monks will complete 108 days of walking. It’s a
sacred number in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It represents
spiritual completion, cosmic order and the wholeness of existence.
The monks’ return trip should be less arduous. After an appearance
at Maryland’s Capitol, a bus will take them back to Texas, where
they expect to arrive in downtown Fort Worth early on Saturday.
From there, the monks will walk together again, traversing 6 miles
(9.6 kilometers) to the temple where their trip began.
___
Bharath reported from Los Angeles.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
