A group of Buddhist monks has crossed the halfway point of a remarkable 2,300-mile Walk for Peace, continuing a journey aimed at spreading messages of peace, loving kindness, compassion, and unity across the United States and beyond.
On Saturday, the monks marked their 83rd day on the road as they reached North Carolina, a significant milestone in a physically and spiritually demanding pilgrimage that began in late October. Despite injuries, hardship, and adversity, the march has continued uninterrupted, drawing growing public attention nationwide.
A Journey Rooted in Ancient Buddhist Tradition
The peace march began on 26 October at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, and has since passed through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. At every state capital along the route, the monks stop to share their message, often attracting crowds numbering in the thousands.
Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, who is completing the entire journey barefoot, the march follows a long-standing Buddhist tradition. According to organizers, Buddhist monks have undertaken peace walks for nearly 2,000 years, using walking meditation as a way to promote nonviolence and spiritual reflection.
Their destination is Washington DC, where the group plans to formally ask Congress to recognize Vesak, the Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment, as a federal holiday.
“Reaching the Heart of the Nation”
Neeraj Bajracharya, the walk’s government liaison and press coordinator, explained the deeper intention behind the journey.
“Washington DC is the heart of the nation,” Bajracharya said. “By reaching the heart of the nation, we believe we can reach the heart of all Americans across the United States and deliver the peace message to everyone.”
The monks’ message has resonated widely. Their social media presence has grown to more than one million followers, with supporters tuning in from around the world to follow daily updates from the road.
Physical Hardship and Spiritual Discipline
The march is not without severe physical challenges. Paññākāra, who previously completed a 112-day barefoot walk across India in 2022, has found American roads especially harsh. His feet are bandaged daily, having endured injuries from stepping on rocks, nails, and broken glass.
Two of the monks are observing dhutanga, a strict set of Buddhist practices. During the entire journey, they are permitted only three postures—walking, standing, or sitting—and are forbidden from lying down, even to sleep.
“They sit in a meditation position and meditate all night,” Bajracharya explained. “That’s how they replenish their energy.”
Tragedy on the Road
Three weeks into the journey, the group faced a devastating setback when a truck struck their escort vehicle, pushing it into two monks. One monk suffered injuries so severe that his leg had to be amputated.
Despite the tragedy, Bajracharya said the injured monk is “doing fine,” and the remaining 18 monks continued the march, determined to honor their mission.
“That adversity has not stopped them,” he said.
Aloka the Dog and a Viral Moment of Compassion
The journey has also included a touching story of recovery and companionship. Aloka, a dog rescued by Paññākāra in India in 2022, began the walk with the monks but aggravated a pre-existing leg injury.
Aloka, whose name means “divine light” in Sanskrit, underwent surgery in South Carolina and later rejoined the monks in Charlotte, North Carolina. A video shared on Instagram showed Aloka joyfully greeting the monks, tail wagging—a moment that captured widespread attention and earned over 200,000 likes.
Bajracharya said Aloka is being eased back into walking, starting with short sessions as he continues to recover.
“Even on his journey of recovery, his bond with the venerable monks remains so strong,” read the caption under the video.
A Message Resonating Worldwide
As the monks continue their walk toward the nation’s capital, interest in the march continues to grow.
“It’s amazing how the response has been,” Bajracharya said. “We are getting calls from all over the world.”
He emphasized that the foundation of the initiative remains unchanged.
“The core, foundational stone of this initiative is peace, unity, compassion, and healing. And we want to reach out to each and every individual in America.”
With thousands of miles already behind them and Washington DC ahead, the Buddhist monk peace march stands as a moving testament to endurance, faith, and the power of compassion—one step at a time.