Buddhist Monks Complete 2,300-Mile Walk for Peace to US Capitol

The group of 19 monks and their dog walked across several Southern states over 15 weeks to spread their message.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A group of 19 Buddhist monks and their dog, Aloka, completed a 108-day, 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C., arriving at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The monks, led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, walked through several Southern states, sometimes in frigid conditions, drawing large crowds and earning millions of online followers with their message of peace. After stops at American University and the Washington National Cathedral, the monks walked to Capitol Hill and are expected to conclude their journey with an address at the Lincoln Memorial.

Why it matters

The monks' cross-country trek has captured the hearts of people across the nation and globe, highlighting the power of peaceful protest and the universal message of mindfulness and compassion. Their journey also underscores the growing interest in Eastern spiritual practices and the desire for more contemplative approaches to addressing societal challenges.

The details

The 19 monks and their dog, Aloka, walked 2,300 miles across several Southern states, sometimes in frigid conditions. The group, with its message of peace, has captured hearts across the nation and globe, earning it millions of online followers. On Wednesday, the monks walked single file, followed by about 100 other monks and nuns who had joined them in Washington. The group faced some challenges, including an incident in November outside Houston where their escort vehicle was hit by a truck, injuring two monks, one of whom had his leg amputated.

  • The monks began their 108-day, 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Texas in late October 2025.
  • On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the monks walked from George Washington University to the U.S. Capitol.
  • The monks are expected to address a large crowd at the Lincoln Memorial and formally conclude the peace walk on Wednesday.

The players

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara

The leader of the group of Buddhist monks who organized and led the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C.

Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan

An abbot of a temple in Snellville, Georgia, who was injured in November when the group's escort vehicle was hit by a truck, resulting in the amputation of his leg. Phommasan rejoined the monks near Washington and entered American University's arena in a wheelchair to join the group's walk to the Capitol.

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What they’re saying

“Wake up every morning and intentionally write on a piece of paper the words: Today is going to be my peaceful day.”

— Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, Leader of the Buddhist monks' Walk for Peace

What’s next

After an appearance at the Maryland State House, the monks will take a bus back to Texas, where they expect to arrive in downtown Fort Worth early on Saturday. From there, the monks will walk together again, traversing 6 miles to the temple where their trip began.

The takeaway

The Buddhist monks' cross-country Walk for Peace has demonstrated the power of peaceful protest and the universal appeal of mindfulness and compassion. Their journey has inspired people across the nation and globe, highlighting the growing interest in Eastern spiritual practices and the desire for more contemplative approaches to addressing societal challenges.