A determined group of Buddhist monks, accompanied by their devoted canine companion, is captivating the United States with an extraordinary cross-country pilgrimage promoting peace, undeterred even by a serious road accident.
The Journey of Compassion and Resilience
The Walk for Peace began in Fort Worth, Texas, on 26 October 2025. The contingent of approximately two dozen monks has now traversed multiple states, reaching Georgia by late December as they progress towards their final destination: Washington, D.C. Their mission is to highlight Buddhism's enduring legacy of peace activism.
On Tuesday 30 December, marking day 66 of their trek, the group planned to walk from Morrow to Decatur, on the eastern fringe of Atlanta. They invited the public to a Peace Gathering in Decatur that afternoon. Their route will take them through a total of 10 states, with planned passages near Athens, Georgia; Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia, before arriving in the nation's capital.
A Canine Companion and Digital Following
The monks are not walking alone. They are joined by Aloka, a loyal dog who has become a social media sensation dubbed the 'Peace Dog'. The journey has amassed a huge online audience, with over 400,000 followers on the group's Facebook page, which shares regular progress reports, poetry, and inspirational messages. Aloka even boasts her own hashtag: #AlokathePeaceDog.
"We do not walk alone. We walk together with every person whose heart has opened to peace, whose spirit has chosen kindness, whose daily life has become a garden where understanding grows," reads one of their recent social media posts.
Overcoming Danger on the Road
The pilgrimage has faced significant peril. In November, outside Houston near Dayton, Texas, the monks' escort vehicle—with its hazard lights activated—was struck from behind by a truck while the monks walked alongside the highway.
Dayton Interim Police Chief Shane Burleigh explained that the truck driver failed to notice the slow-moving vehicle in time to avoid it. The impact pushed the escort vehicle into two of the monks. One monk sustained substantial leg injuries and required helicopter transport to a Houston hospital. The other received less serious injuries and was taken by ambulance. A spokeswoman for the group confirmed the monk with the broken bone faced multiple surgeries but had a good prognosis for recovery.
The Roots of a Peaceful Tradition
Buddhism, founded on the teachings of Gautama Buddha in the 6th to 4th centuries B.C., centres on principles of non-violence, meditation, and compassion for all beings. While diversifying into many sects, its strong tradition of peace activism remains vibrant. This social teaching has been championed by global figures like the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, applying core Buddhist tenets to political, environmental, and social justice causes worldwide.
This modern Walk for Peace embodies that very tradition—a physical testament to resilience and a moving call for kindness that continues to resonate across America and beyond.
