A group of 24 Buddhist monks and their dog, Aloka, are walking nearly 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. Their journey is called the Walk for Peace. Every step is taken with purpose, and the monks said they are doing this to remind people about peace and compassion.
The Walk for Peace is organized and led by monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, according to the nonprofit.
On December 23, 2025, their 120-day journey brought them to downtown Montgomery, Alabama. They visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the Court Street Fountain, and the steps of City Hall, where the monks prayed and chanted softly.
But they're not just spreading kindness. They are also inspiring others to give. A woman heard that the monks were coming to Alabama and decided to hand out water to them. Before they arrived, she posted a video on TikTok about their walk.
A family from Alabama was so excited to greet the monks, and they handed out food to them as they walked along the road. The monks expressed gratitude for everyone who has been helping them along their long journey.
"To the law enforcement officers who have protected us, guided us, and shown us such kindness along the way—thank you. To every community that welcomed us, every meal that was offered, every hand that was extended, every smile that greeted us, every prayer that was spoken—thank you," the monks said in a statement.
The monks have been greeted by crowds, city leaders, and community events in many cities along the route. People they passed by have given them gifts, some have cried, and have thanked them for their walk.
The same day the monks started the Walk for Peace, they created a Facebook page. And within a few months, they have amassed over 720,000 followers.
A lot of people following their journey also wanted to get updates on their dog, Aloka. So on December 9, 2025, the monks created an additional page called Aloka the Peace Dog. The page features photos of Aloka and it has reached over 340,000 followers.
The road hasn't been easy for them. On November 19, 2025, a pickup truck struck the monks' escort vehicle in Dayton, Texas. The crash injured Buddhist monk Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan. The accident left him badly hurt, and his leg had to be amputated. Another member of their group, Jesse, had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital by ambulance, according to the monks.
Maha Dam serves as a senior monk at Wat Lao Buddha Khanti temple, and he is now back home in Snellville, Georgia. He was welcomed with a ceremony.
At Piedmont Healthcare and OrthoAtlanta, spine surgeon Dr. Tuan L. Bui helped care for him. The doctor's team shared how inspired they were by Maha Dam's strength and his commitment to peace.
Even after losing his leg, he said he wasn't angry and expressed forgiveness and compassion toward the person who hit him, according to WSB-TV Atlanta. Shortly after the accident, his home temple, Wat Lao Buddha Khanti of Atlanta, released a statement. A few weeks later, the temple created a GoFundMe page on his behalf, and it has raised over $122,000 to help Maha Dam with medical bills and other expenses.
In early December 2025, police departments escorting them through cities and towns started giving the monks official pins and badges. They did it as a sign of respect and support for the monks on their journey.
As the monks continue on their journey, police presence has steadily increased to ensure their safety. The Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group's spiritual leader, proudly wears each pin and badge given to them along the way.
While the monks have been met with a lot of support along their journey, they have also faced people who don't agree with their message. The Venerable Pannakara said, "Even though there are many people who hate us, shout at us, and curse at us, we respond with 'may you be well, happy, and peaceful.' If we can all do this together, our world will be at peace."
Bhante Sumato, a Buddhist monk who is part of the Walk for Peace, is also a photographer capturing the journey behind the lens. As the monks walk in a single-file line, Sumato walks with them while taking pictures. He has taken thousands of photos, and each one tells a unique and powerful story.
He quietly captures families and children as they happily greet the monks. In the photos, families can be seen waving, crying tears of joy, and giving flowers.
While many people have taken videos and photos of the monks, seeing the walk through Sumato's perspective is truly humbling. It's a window into the true impact of their message of spreading peace and compassion.
The monks' journey can be followed online through an interactive Google map that shows their route and daily progress as they walk. It also shows their walking paths, rest stops, and overnight locations. Supporters can use the map to see when the monks are near their community and follow the Walk for Peace in real time.
In a world that experiences so much hate and division, what they are doing is so important. Their message is simple. Choose compassion.
