Thousands of kilometers away from Kathmandu, a slightly unusual scene has been witnessed in recent days along highways, small towns, and villages. Buddhist monks dressed in saffron robes, carrying long staffs in their hands and bags slung over their shoulders, are walking quietly.
Alongside them walks a white, grey, and brown spotted dog named Aloka. The monks carry neither the flag of any country nor any political party, and there are no slogans or speeches. Yet, this journey has drawn global attention.
This is not an ordinary walk. It is a spiritual pilgrimage aimed at sowing the seeds of peace, awareness, and compassion in an increasingly restless world and a deeply divided society. The “Walk for Peace,” which began on October 26 from a Vietnamese Buddhist meditation center in Fort Worth, Texas, spans about 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers), with Washington, D.C. as its destination. The journey is expected to conclude by mid-February.
The monks say they are neither promoting nor opposing any religion. “This walk is a meditation that carries a message of self-reflection and compassion,” they explain.
The pilgrimage is led by monk Pannakara, who walks barefoot. Sharp stones, nails, broken glass, and scorching asphalt have injured his feet. Yet he says, “Above pain is awareness for peace.” Before beginning the journey, they wrote on social media that the walk is a simple but meaningful reminder to spread unity and compassion within families, communities, and society.
The journey has not been easy. During the walk, one monk lost his leg in an accident. According to Atlanta News First, on November 11, Texas-based monk Prajna Mahadam was hit by a car and lost his left leg. Despite this tragedy, the journey did not stop. He was taken for treatment, while the other monks continued walking.
According to their social media updates, the monks walk throughout the day, interacting with people they meet along the way. At night, they sometimes sleep in tents under the open sky, sometimes in church courtyards, farmers’ fields, or public parks.
Wherever they go, people gather on their own. Some bring flowers, others offer food. Many people approach them in tears, while some walk alongside them to show support. Children, adults, and the elderly wait to see them. The monks bless people they meet and gently tie a sacred thread known as a “blessing string” on their wrists. This string has become an emotional symbol on social media. As written on their blog, “This thread reminds you that you, too, are part of this journey.”
The Silent Walk’s Growing Popularity
While the monks walk in silence on the roads, they have gained massive popularity in the digital world. Their social media following on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok has crossed one million. Major media outlets such as CNN, ABC News, USA Today, AP, and the New York Post have featured their journey. Many Americans have commented, “This is the message America needs right now.”
Videos of their interactions with people along the route are widely shared online—receiving flowers, listening to people’s pain, hearing stories of loss, and offering comfort. The blessing string tied by the monks has become a powerful emotional symbol of connection.
A major reason for the journey’s popularity is Aloka, the dog walking alongside the monks. Photos and videos of Aloka—sleeping by the roadside, playing with people, or running in the monks’ shadow—have gone viral. According to leader Pannakara, Aloka was originally a stray dog in India. During a peace walk in India in 2022, the dog followed him all the way to the Nepal border. When Aloka once fell seriously ill, Pannakara carried and saved him. He named the dog Aloka, meaning “divine light.” “When I feel tired, I look at Aloka,” Pannakara says. “Then I feel like walking again.”
Many Americans have described Aloka as a “ray of hope in difficult times.” Followers write that the journey has taught them kindness, mindful breathing, and inner calm.
Spiritual Practice with a Purpose
The monks have already crossed six states, drawing large crowds wherever they go. On Christmas night, Pastor Patrick Hitchman Craig of Alabama hosted them at his church. He said, “Anyone who works for peace is close to the heart of Jesus, regardless of their religion.”
After reaching Washington, D.C., the group plans to submit a special request to the U.S. Congress, urging it to recognize Buddha’s birth and enlightenment day as a national holiday. They believe this would honor Buddha’s teachings and help spread a global message of peace.
“Our goal is simple,” Pannakara says. “Peace does not begin with the state; it begins with the individual—one step, one breath, one mind.”
In an America divided by religion, politics, and ideology, this journey has created a unique attraction. Supporters and observers continue to grow. “There is pain in this country every day. When I looked into their eyes, I saw peace,” said American citizen Audrey Pierce to the AP. Brooke Schedneck, a professor of religious studies at Rhodes College, also said the journey was inspiring, noting that people are moved more by the monks’ sacrifice and dedication than by words.
Not everyone has viewed the journey positively. Some have criticized it as religious promotion, especially after monks spoke in church courtyards. However, Pannakara has rejected these accusations, insisting that the journey is neither a protest nor an attempt to convert anyone. “Our only aim,” he says, “is to inspire people to find peace in their everyday lives.”
