Walk for Peace

There is an old Chinese proverb which says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". This is certainly true with a group of approximately 20 Buddhist monks walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to promote world peace.

The group left the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 2025, and should arrive in Washington, D.C., in mid-February. The monks are accepting support along the way. The group welcomes anyone, regardless of their beliefs, to show support by donating, volunteering, or sharing their message. Along the way, the monks have been greeted by large and small crowds of supporters.

The monks have captured the attention of Americans from all walks of life and have been followed on social media by people throughout the world.

They focus in on helping people find peace in their lives, not converting anyone to Buddhism or railing against anything. Per the walk’s leader. Bhikkhu Pannakara, “We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us.” The monks wish to promote compassion, national healing, and unity. This is much needed in our country and by people around the world. The monks currently walking did not invent the idea of a walk for peace. In fact, walking for peace is a meditative tradition common in countries of South Asia.

No one, even the monks on their Walk for Peace, believe this activity is a quick solution to divisiveness and lack of unity in the US. But grabbing the public’s attention and causing people to think about the desirability of peace as an alternative to the current atmosphere may result. Any progress towards peace is a positive outcome. While all people may not share the monks’ religious views, they can agree that peace benefits everyone. May we all, in our own way, find peace in our lives.