Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: NINETEEN Buddhist monks completed a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace to Washington, drawing lawmakers, faith leaders, and thousands of supporters as they delivered a message of compassion in the heart of Washington.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng led 22 House and Senate Democrats in welcoming the monks at the Peace Monument west of the US Capitol on February 11.
“It is a great honour to welcome the Venerable Monks who have walked thousands of miles across the United States to spread a message of peace that our nation desperately needs,” said Meng.
The monks began their 108-day journey on October 26, 2025, from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Centre in Fort Worth, Texas. Wearing saffron and maroon robes, they walked through winter storms and along icy sidewalks, accompanied by a rescue dog named Aloka.
Over 100 days, their simple message — peace, loving kindness and compassion — resonated widely. Thousands lined Washington’s streets as the monks walked singlefile into the city. Nearly 3,500 people packed American University’s Bender Arena for their first public stop. At the Washington National Cathedral, more than 100 Buddhist monks and nuns joined them for an interfaith gathering hosted in part by Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde. “It is overwhelming for us,” said the venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s leader.”
The trek was not without peril. In November, outside Houston, their escort vehicle was struck by a truck. Two monks were injured.
