Buddhist Monks and Loyal Dog Embark on 2,300-Mile Walk for Peace

The 120-day journey from Texas to Washington, D.C. aims to spread messages of inner peace and mindfulness.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:47pm

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A group of Buddhist monks, accompanied by a loyal dog named Ashoka, have embarked on a 2,300-mile, 120-day walk from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of inner peace and mindfulness across America. The monks are walking the streets, handing out flowers, accepting small stones from children, and being welcomed by various religious communities along the way, despite facing challenges like injuries and exhaustion.

Why it matters

The Walk for Peace is a powerful display of spiritual devotion and a reminder of the universal human need for peace, compassion, and connection, especially in a time of division and unrest. The monks' journey highlights the ability of grassroots movements to spread messages of hope and healing across the country.

The details

The monks, clad in orange robes, are walking the streets of small towns and busy cities, silently spreading their message of peace. They are accepting food and water donations, and being tended to by nurses and masseuses along the way. Despite the physical toll, the monks remain committed to completing the journey, with the loyal dog Ashoka walking by their side.

  • The Walk for Peace began in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • The monks have been walking for 120 days as of the publication of this story.
  • The journey is expected to conclude in Washington, D.C.

The players

Ashoka

A dog that joined the monks on their walk and has become known as the "Peace Dog". She has walked alongside the monks for the majority of the journey.

The Buddhist Monks

A group of Buddhist monks who are leading the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C. to spread messages of inner peace and mindfulness.

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What they’re saying

“They are trying to spread the words of peace without speaking.”

— Dan Kiely, Author

“She may not know it. I truly believe she does. I believe she is God.”

— Dan Kiely, Author

What’s next

The monks plan to continue their walk, despite facing challenges like injuries and exhaustion, until they reach their final destination in Washington, D.C.

The takeaway

The Walk for Peace is a powerful demonstration of spiritual devotion and the universal human need for peace, compassion, and connection. The monks' journey highlights the ability of grassroots movements to spread messages of hope and healing across the country, even in the face of adversity.