Buddhist monks and their dog walk for peace across the South

A group of Theravada Buddhist monks and their rescue dog have been walking through Southern U.S. communities since Oct. 26, 2025, sharing mindfulness and collecting large, often warm public gatherings; their trek is planned to end in mid-February in Washington, D.C., where they will seek recognition of Vesak.

A group of Theravada Buddhist monks and a rescue dog have been walking in single file through towns and along highways in the U.S. South to promote mindfulness and peace. The trek began Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas and continues to draw people at stops in churchyards, town squares and city halls. The monks teach Vipassana meditation and emphasize forgiveness and healing as they meet local communities. Their journey has been documented on social media and has attracted large, varied crowds. Notable details: - The group began with 19 monks walking about 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) from Fort Worth, and continued after an accident on Nov. 19 that injured two monks and reduced the group to 18. - The monks travel with a rescue dog named Aloka, who originally followed them in India and now accompanies the trek. - They often sleep outdoors in tents and some monks walk barefoot as part of their practice, which has produced bandaged feet and other physical strains. - Hosts along the route have included churches, farms and city officials; one stop in Columbia, South Carolina, drew thousands and resulted in a mayoral proclamation. - The monks say they do not aim to convert people; they teach and demonstrate mindfulness and Vipassana meditation during public events. Summary: The walk has prompted many local gatherings and moments of reflection across multiple Southern states, reaching diverse audiences and generating broad attention online and in person. The group plans to finish the journey in mid-February in Washington, D.C., where they intend to ask Congress to recognize Vesak, the Buddha’s birth and enlightenment day, as a federal holiday.