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Monks complete four-month pilgrimage amid national attention
A group of 19 Buddhist monks is set to finish a 2,000-mile journey on foot from Texas to Washington DC on Tuesday, drawing widespread support during a period of deep political division in the United States.
The Walk of Peace
The monks, led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, began their trek on October 26, 2025, departing from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth. Their mission: to promote mindfulness and peace.
"My hope is that when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace," Pannakara said.
A journey of resilience
The monks walked single-file, often barefoot or through snow, covering roughly five miles on their final day from Arlington, Virginia, to the nation's capital. A livestream on their Facebook page showed them navigating melting snow as temperatures rose above freezing after weeks of record cold.
Onlookers lined the route, with one supporter writing, "May you be safe and warm. Thank you for your walk of peace. We desperately need this in our world now."
Their 108-day journey-a number symbolizing spiritual completion in Buddhism-was not without challenges. In November, an escort vehicle was struck by a truck in Houston, severely injuring two monks. One required a leg amputation.
Arrival in Washington
Upon reaching DC, the monks will visit the Washington National Cathedral and the Lincoln Memorial. They also plan to urge lawmakers to recognize Vesak, Buddha's birthday, as a national holiday.
Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde praised their effort, saying, "Their long journey and gentle witness invite us all to deepen our commitment to compassion." An interfaith reception will welcome them.
Return plans
The monks, hailing from Theravada Buddhist monasteries worldwide, will return to Texas by bus, arriving in Fort Worth on Saturday-a far quicker trip than their months-long pilgrimage.
