Walk for Peace-Buddhist monks from Texas to Washington

 The 2025-2026 Walk for Peace is a 2,300-mile, 120-day pilgrimage by Buddhist monks from

A group of monks, led by Bhikkhu Paññakāra, is walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. with a mission to promote peace, loving-kindness, and compassion. Their journey focuses on inspiring unity and hope in a divided world rather than serving as an act of protest. There are several key motivations behind this Walk for Peace: Encouraging Inner Peace and Kindness: The monks aim to remind individuals of the importance of nurturing peace and compassion within themselves. By doing so, these values can extend to families and communities, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Practicing "Tudong": This walk is deeply rooted in the Theravada tradition of tudong, a spiritual discipline that helps practitioners let go of attachments, habits, and false perceptions. It is less about reaching a destination and more about embodying mindfulness and personal growth. A Journey of Hope: Organized by the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Texas, this endeavor seeks to bring blessings to many lives without any political agenda or intent to convert. Rev. Nguyen described it as a way to offer solace in a world struggling with uncertainty and restlessness. Resilience and Compassion: Despite challenges like a severe traffic accident in Texas, the monks have persisted in their mission, demonstrating the resilience they advocate for and staying true to their ethos of non-hatred. Supported by volunteers and accompanied by a dog named Aloka, the monks make stops along their path to share their message, often inspiring gatherings within local communities. Their presence serves as a reminder of the power of unity and collective kindness amidst adversity.