After Walking 2,300 Miles, These Buddhist Monks Are Arriving in DC

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News & Politics

After Walking 2,300 Miles, These Buddhist Monks Are Arriving in DC

The Walk for Peace—which some monks did barefoot—braved snow and a tragic accident. They're set to arrive February 10 with a request for Congress.

Written by Samantha Skolnick | Published on February 5, 2026


Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images.

Nineteen Buddhist monks are set to end their months-long walk from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC, on February 10. The monks, who are from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, are journeying to the nation’s capital in a Walk for Peace to “promote healing, unity, and compassion,” according to a statement made at a press conference back in the fall. ... The walk started on October 26, so if they do reach DC on February 10, the pilgrimage will have taken over 100 days.

Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, the spiritual leader of the walk, said in a statement: “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.” Paññākāra, who is journeying barefoot, is also the executive director of the project to build a 14-acre expansion called The Dhammacetiya in Fort Worth.

What will the Buddhist monks do when they get to DC?

The group hopes to ask Congress to recognize Vesak, Buddha’s birthday and day of enlightenment, as a federal holiday, and to spread peace through their journey. They are planning on stopping at the Washington National Cathedral on February 10 at 1 PM. There, onlookers can watch from the West Lawn, while clergy welcome the monks. A moment of “reflection and prayer” will be followed by a procession and an hour-long prayer gathering.

The group has also sent out an invitation to all Venerable Monks and Nuns in the area to join them at American University at 10 AM for lunch on February 10. Registration is open here. ...There is also a meditation retreat the next day.

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