On October 26, 2025, Buddhist monks, led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra and their special dog companion, Aloka, began their ‘Walk for Peace’ from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C.. The walk will take an estimated 120 days and cross 2,300 miles.
Inspired by the teachings of Gautama Buddha, the Walk for Peace aims to raise “awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world.”
The monks walk about 30 miles a day, eat one meal, sleep outdoors, and rely on donations and goodwill along the route. Support personnel for the monks provide food and water, but the monks also accept food, water, prayers, flowers and other offerings as they pass through towns in America.
Awareness is indeed growing. They grew massive crowds during their walk through Georgia recently. People have been following them in hopes of being touched by their message of peace, hope, and love.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche recently sent a letter of support to Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra which we share below:
Letter of Support: Walk for Peace
Respected Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra and Sangha,
My sangha and I have been following your peace walk in America since it first became visible in the media. You have succeeded in bringing hope to the hearts of people when it is most needed.
You were able to show people of all faiths and creeds that we can bring peace only by being kind to each other—by being there and walking among them with nothing but your kind and determined presence. When you walk among thousands of people who have opened their hearts to peace and kindness, I cannot help but remember the time when the Buddha was walking in India with his bhikkhus.
We rejoice in what you do and admire your courage, determination, and endurance. We pray for your health and long life, and that all your good wishes come true. We cannot fail to mention Aloka for his silent contribution, and we pray for him and his wonderful presence.
Ringu Tulku and the Bodhicharya Sangha
To find out more about the walk visit: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/
To view the live map of the walk see: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/overview-map/