Monks complete 2,300 mile peace walk

Two dozen Buddhist monks completed a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace, arriving in Washington, D.C., after a months-long pilgrimage across nine states that drew crowds and social-media support. Clad in burnt‑orange robes and accompanied at times by a rescue dog named Aloka, the monks paused for events at American University and a welcome at Washington National Cathedral, where hundreds greeted them with flowers and chants despite icy sidewalks from a recent storm.

Led by Bhikkhu Pannakara, who said peace “begins from within, not without,” the group staged public meditations, prayer gatherings and community conversations along the route to promote nonviolence, loving‑kindness and compassion. Organizers framed the journey as a spiritual, nonpartisan initiative; supporters described the monks’ endurance — sometimes walking in frigid conditions and occasionally barefoot — as a moving example of commitment to mindfulness and solidarity.

At the cathedral, American‑born Bhikkhu Bodhi linked the walk’s message to contemporary political concerns, criticizing harsh immigration policies and urging “conscientious compassion.” Many attendees said the pilgrimage offered a calming counterpoint to polarized national debates and inspired hope for greater unity. The walk built substantial online followings, with millions engaging on social platforms and local communities joining segments of the route in snow and rain.

Logistical coordination and local hospitality helped sustain the group through deserts, mountains and cities. Organizers emphasized the journey’s symbolic intent: to embody principles of peace through sustained, visible action rather than advance a political agenda. They plan follow‑up events including public meditations, workshops and service projects to translate the walk’s message into ongoing local efforts.

Observers noted the historical resonance of long-distance peace walks as tools for interfaith outreach and civic reflection. For participants and onlookers, the monks’ arrival in the capital marked both the end of a physically demanding chapter and a prompt to carry the walk’s principles into daily life. Organizers urged attendees to sustain mindfulness and compassion beyond the pilgrimage, while community leaders hoped the event would spur similar grassroots initiatives that bridge political and cultural divides.