Buddhist monks walk across the U.S. to promote peace

A group of Theravada Buddhist monks began a meditative peace walk from Texas on Oct. 26, 2025, traveling with a rescue dog named Aloka and drawing large crowds across six states; they plan to reach Washington, D.C., by mid-February to petition for recognition of Vesak.

A procession of Theravada Buddhist monks is walking across the southern United States in a meditative peace walk that began on Oct. 26, 2025. They started at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, and aim to reach Washington, D.C., by mid-February. The group initially numbered 19 monks and travels with a rescue dog named Aloka. Their stated purpose is to foster mindfulness and connections with people along the route, and they also plan to petition Congress to recognise Vesak. Key facts: - The trek began on Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth and is planned to end in Washington, D.C., by mid-February. - The group started with 19 monks from Theravada monasteries; on Nov. 19 their escort vehicle was struck near Dayton, Texas, injuring two monks and resulting in one losing a leg, after which the group numbered 18. - The monks commonly walk barefoot, sleep in tents outdoors, and teach Vipassana meditation focused on mindfulness, forgiveness and healing at public stops. - Their route has drawn large gatherings across six states, including chanting and a proclamation at the South Carolina State House in Columbia and events in Saluda, Opelika and Cusseta. - The journey is widely shared on social media and, together with Aloka the dog, has attracted millions of followers online; a temple spokesperson said the walk to Washington will include a petition seeking federal recognition of Vesak and is separate from a $200 million temple monument campaign. Summary: The walk has created calm public gatherings that attendees describe as restorative and has connected people across religious and social lines. When the group arrives in Washington, they plan to seek federal recognition of Vesak as a day of reflection and unity. The monks intend to continue engaging communities along their remaining route as they move toward that petition.