A group of Buddhist monks from Texas have embarked on a trek to Washington, D.C., on what they call a “Walk for Peace.”
In a time when threats of violence and conflict have become all too common, these monks say they are showing that there is a better way to deal with conflict. Each step taken in the walk is a refusal to accept violence as the status quo.
The monks' journey is a challenge to people to turn their peaceful thoughts into action.
The group is being accompanied by Aloka, nicknamed the Peace Dog, who has been travelling with the monks since they started their walk in October, capturing the minds and hearts of the public.
Their journey has not been without incident.
A monk had a leg amputated following a November traffic accident in Dayton, Texas, and Aloka also had to undergo leg surgery. Yet the monks' resolve has not abated, and they have kept walking through frigid temperatures to reach their destination.
The monks and their four-legged companion have been steadily garnering the attention of not just the U.S, but the world.
The monks, from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Centre in Fort Worth, Texas, set off on Oct. 25, 2025. They are set to enter the nation's capital on Feb. 12, following a 3,700-kilometre journey.
Bhikkhu Pannakara, the lead monk and the spokesperson for this journey, said it is their intention "not to force peace upon the world, but to help nurture it." Their progress can be seen on the “Walk for Peace” Facebook page that is constantly updated with images, videos and livestreams of the monks’ progress.
Numerous videos show Americans lining the streets, offering the monks food, flowers and encouragement. In a time of divisiveness, the monks’ silent walk seems to have brought on some positivity.
Rev. Bhante Saranapala is a resident Canadian Buddhist monk at the West End Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre. He has been helping promote mindfulness, love and kindness in Canadians for a long time.
He conducts talks and meditation sessions for everyone, including high school students and Toronto Police officers. He praised the walk, and the monks' mission to reach out with their message of peace, kindness and compassion.
“It doesn’t matter what religion you practice or what affiliation you have with other things,” he said. “Anyone can cultivate peace. And that’s the main intention from this.”
He said that the monks’ quest has been successful. The videos showing Americans coming out in droves to get a glimpse of these intrepid travellers are proof that their message is resonating with the wider public.
When the monks set off in Oct. 2025, there was no big fanfare or media frenzy. Now, at least 2 million people are following their journey on their official Facebook page.
“Conflicts are the creations of our own minds,” Saranapala said. “This group of monks is helping people to make a better choice, the positive choice. They are asking people to find and choose the peace within.”
Saranapala emphasized that the monks’ walking is meant to bring out happiness through peace. He said that the reason why so many people are paying attention to these monks is that they have caused people to be happy.
“Peace is a journey,” he said. “Happiness, compassion and freedom is a journey. I’m encouraging people to live a life with a heart full of love and compassion for everyone.”
In a time when the threat of war has been heightened, the quiet walk of a group of monks can often go unnoticed. However, the monks’ silent outreach and message of peace and love seem to be resonating worldwide.
This has inspired other communities, such as Windsor, Ont., where the White Feather Holistic Arts Group has organized a walk for peace on Feb. 7 within the city.
It is a stark reminder that even in times of uncertainty and doubt, peace will always remain the better option.
