Buddhist Monks Complete 15-Week 'Walk for Peace' to Washington

The group's quiet procession captivated the country as they advocated for peace and mindfulness.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A group of Buddhist monks from Texas reached Washington, D.C., on foot Tuesday, completing a 15-week, 2,300-mile trek across the country. The monks, dressed in saffron robes, have become fixtures on social media and have drawn large crowds along their journey as they advocated for peace and mindfulness. After spending Monday night in Arlington, Virginia, the monks crossed the Chain Bridge into D.C. early Tuesday morning.

Why it matters

The monks' simple message of peace has resonated across the U.S. during a time of political division, providing a welcome respite for many. Their journey has captivated millions online and drawn crowds in communities across the South, even in unusually cold weather, as people have been uplifted by the monks' gentle witness.

The details

The 19 monks, led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, began their journey from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 2025. Along the way, they have practiced and taught Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique focused on the mind-body connection. The trek has had its challenges, including when the monks' escort vehicle was hit by a truck in November, injuring two monks, one of whom had his leg amputated.

  • The monks began their 2,300-mile journey from Fort Worth, Texas on October 26, 2025.
  • The monks reached Washington, D.C. and crossed the Chain Bridge over the Potomac River on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • The monks plan to mark the end of their Walk for Peace with appearances at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.

The players

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara

The soft-spoken leader of the group of monks and the vice president of the Fort Worth temple where the journey began.

Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center

The Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas where the 19 monks began their 15-week, 2,300-mile journey.

Aloka

An Indian Pariah dog whose name means "divine light" in Sanskrit, who has accompanied the monks on their journey.

Mariann Budde

The Washington Episcopal Bishop who will help host an interfaith reception for the monks at the Washington National Cathedral.

Mark Duykers

A retired mechanical engineer from Ann Arbor, Michigan who practices mindfulness and plans to travel 550 miles to see the monks in Washington.

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What they’re saying

“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace.”

— Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, Group Leader

“In these divisive times, we saw entire towns in the Bible Belt coming out for these monks - having no idea of what Buddhism is - but being uplifted and moved by it. That's inspirational.”

— Mark Duykers, Retired Mechanical Engineer

What’s next

The monks plan to submit a request to lawmakers to declare Vesak - Buddha's birthday - a national holiday during their stay in Washington. They will also make appearances at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday before returning to Texas on Saturday.

The takeaway

The monks' 15-week 'Walk for Peace' has captivated communities across the country, transcending ideologies and providing a message of mindfulness and compassion that has resonated during a time of division. Their journey demonstrates the power of spiritual witness and the ability of simple acts to bring people together.