Buddhist Monks March for Peace Through Prince William County

Hundreds brave frigid temperatures to welcome group on 2,300-mile journey from Texas to Washington, D.C.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A group of about 19 Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. as part of a March for Peace passed through Prince William County over the weekend, drawing large crowds despite bitterly cold temperatures. The monks were escorted by local police as they traveled along Route 1 through Woodbridge and Dumfries, with residents lining the streets to welcome the group.

Why it matters

The March for Peace highlights the growing interest in mindfulness and spirituality, as well as the desire for more peaceful solutions to global conflicts. Prince William County's welcoming of the monks demonstrates the community's openness to diverse cultural and religious traditions.

The details

The monks entered Prince William County on Saturday, February 7, after traveling north from Stafford County and Fredericksburg. They were escorted by Prince William County Police as they moved along Richmond Highway, stopping at locations including the county's Eastern District Police Station in Woodbridge. Large crowds gathered along Route 1 in Dumfries and Woodbridge to welcome the monks, many standing outdoors for extended periods despite temperatures in the teens and wind chills near zero.

  • The monks entered Prince William County on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
  • The monks spent Saturday night in Woodbridge and resumed their journey on Sunday, February 8, 2026, crossing the Occoquan River into Fairfax County.

The players

Prince William County Police

The local law enforcement agency that escorted the monks through the county and provided real-time updates on their progress via social media.

Derrick Wood

The mayor of Dumfries, who issued a proclamation marking the monks' passage through the town and calling it a moment for the community to pause and reflect.

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What they’re saying

“We must pause and reflect on the message of peace the monks bring to our community.”

— Derrick Wood, Mayor of Dumfries (potomaclocal.com)

What’s next

The monks are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. in the coming days, where they will hold a final rally and conclude their 2,300-mile March for Peace.

The takeaway

The March for Peace demonstrates the growing interest in mindfulness and spirituality, as well as the desire for more peaceful solutions to global conflicts. Prince William County's welcoming of the monks highlights the community's openness to diverse cultural and religious traditions, even in the face of challenging weather conditions.