Photo by Ben Lemons
Crowds gather to welcome the monks on their journey through Virginia, including along Route 1 in McKenney as they headed toward Richmond a few days ago.
The contingent of Buddhist monks that has been on a Walk for Peace pilgrimage from Texas to Washington since October is now making its way north through Virginia on the final leg of the journey that will end in the nation’s capital.
The 108-day, 2,300-mile journey has taken the monks — accompanied by their rescue dog, Aloka, and undeterred by frigid temperatures and wintry conditions — across eight states as they seek to promote national healing, unity, and compassion.
The trek began October 26, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, and will end in February in Washington, D.C. That means the final leg of the journey will pass right through Northern Virginia in the coming days, including parts of Alexandria.
“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,” said Bhikkhu Pannakara, spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace. “The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.”
Walking to Bring People Together
Photo courtesy of Walk for Peace
The monks are joined by their rescue dog, Aloka, since they began their walk in Texas last October.
The group of 19 monks clad in saffron robes crossed from North Carolina into Virginia on January 28, which was Day 95 of their journey. Often traveling on roads covered with snow and ice, they have been greeted by well-wishers and escorted by local law enforcement officials.
In photos posted on Facebook of the monks walking from Gasburg to Lawrenceville to Alberta, in southern Virginia, people can be seen offering them flowers, water bottles, and hand warmers.
All along their route, the monks have drawn large crowds, including their recent stop in Richmond on Day 100. Thousands gathered at Richmond City Hall, where state lawmakers presented the monks with proclamations from the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate.
Photo courtesy of Walk for Peace
Gov. Abigail Spanberger issues a proclamation designating Feb. 2, 2026, as Walk for Peace Day in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Walk for Peace.
Speaking to the crowd with the monks gathered behind her, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said their national journey would “make clear to the people of the United States and the world that when you believe in something, you can bring people together in common cause.”
Spanberger then issued her first official proclamation, designating Feb. 2, 2026, as Walk for Peace Day in the Commonwealth.
“The journey that they have undertaken traverses Virginia at a time when communities across our nation face a variety of challenges and deepening divisions, and they are serving as a powerful reminder to us that peace is a daily practice that begins within and radiates outward to families, communities, and nations,” she said.
Two Days of Washington Events
Map of Virginia route Buddhist Monks are taking this week.
The monks are estimated to arrive in the nation’s capital on Feb. 10-11. Although more events are being finalized, the current schedule includes:
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Visit the Washington National Cathedral.
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Host a meditation retreat in the afternoon and evening.
Thursday, Feb. 12: Depart Washington to return to Texas by bus.
Photo courtesy of Walk for Peace
The monks gather on the steps of Richmond City Hall on Day 100 of their cross-country walk.
The monks issued a public invitation to join them via their social media channels: “We are deeply honored to invite everyone to join us in Washington, D.C., as we approach the destination of this 2,300-mile Walk for Peace. After 108 days and countless steps through many states, we will arrive in our nation’s capital with hearts full of gratitude and peace. We warmly welcome all who wish to be part of these final, sacred moments of our journey.”
You can track both the live progress and planned route of the Walk for Peace and follow their social media on Facebook, with 2.5 million followers, and Instagram, which has 1.8 million followers. To learn more about the monks and their journey, visit their website.
