On Oct. 26, 2025, a group of monks set off on a symbolic walk across the United States to promote peace and unity. Beginning in Fort Worth, Texas, where they are from, the monks will travel 2,300 miles to Washington, with the mission estimated to finish in mid-February. When they arrive at the capital, they are going to ask Congress to declare Vesak, a holiday celebrating Buddha’s birth and enlightenment, as a national holiday.
This trip is very demanding and has proven to have its challenges. Each monk follows a strict ascetic code, which includes only eating one meal a day and only sleeping under trees to practice humility, focus and endurance. They walk barefoot the whole journey, with some monks having to bandage their feet daily to treat injuries. Tragedy struck when three weeks after setting off, a truck crashed into their escort vehicle, which then hit two of the monks. One of the monk’s injuries was so serious that he had to have his leg amputated. He is in recovery from the accident and the group has continued on since.
Bhikkhu Paññākāra is the spiritual leader of the walk and, in a written statement issued by usatoday.com, hopes to inspire America with the group’s passion.
“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,” Paññākāra said. “The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities and society as a whole.”
The monks are also joined by their canine sidekick, Aloka, whom they adopted from India. The name Aloka means “light,” which is certainly what the dog has been for the monks. The group first found Aloka on a peace walk they did in India, where the dog walked by their side for over 1,864 miles. Aloka recently had to undergo leg surgery in Charleston after being diagnosed with a cranial cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, but is receiving physical therapy to rejoin the walk full-time.
On the 73rd day of the journey, the group crossed the Savannah River into McCormick, S.C. There, they hosted a meet and greet for those following their mission. While traveling through South Carolina, they visited Saluda, Columbia, Blythewood, Ridgeway, Rock Hill and Fort Mill.
Their story has become a national sensation, with their social media earning over 1 million followers. People have gathered to support the cause by greeting them as they pass through towns, offering them supplies such as food and water, and hosting them at churches and homes for rest.
Joanna Smith (12) has followed the walk and is inspired by their message.
“I think the peace walk will reunite and bring the community together, even if only for a little while. Monks usually live in solitude, so the fact that they are ‘breaking’ that isolation to walk with the public is a warning of how much our world needs peace right now,” Smith said.
Supporters have also raised money to help the Buddhist monks fund their temple project. The temple’s goal is to raise $200 million to build a center that spans 14 acres with 840 stupas, a type of Buddhist monument, according to usatoday.com.
Michelle Urps, a South Carolina citizen, attended the walk with her mom and daughter and told wyff4.com why the cause was important to her.
“All we ever hear are the bad things, right? So whenever you get a taste of good news, you just want to be a part of it. You want to soak it all in,” Urps said.
