Buddhist monks' Walk for Peace comes to D.C.
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Buddhist monks trekking 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington on their "Walk for Peace" are closing in on the finish line.
Why it matters: Their projected arrival here tomorrow caps a nearly 110-day pilgrimage to spread peace, unity and compassion — a journey that's drawn crowds in the thousands and millions of online followers.
Driving the news: The 19 monks and their beloved rescue "peace dog," Aloka, are expected to pass through Alexandria and Arlington today, with rolling street closures.
- They'll spend the night at Marymount University before heading into the District.
The big picture: The monks' arrival follows a massive welcome in Richmond, where tens of thousands greeted them with flowers — a ritual that's grown with each stop.
Zoom in: Many monks walked barefoot at times, enduring extreme weather and a traffic accident that severely injured two participants. Their message never wavered.
- "We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us," says Bhikkhu Pannakara, the walk's spiritual leader.
- He calls the journey "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."
A series of public events are planned here tomorrow and Wednesday before the monks go to Annapolis, then return home to Fort Worth.
Tomorrow
- 1pm: Interfaith welcome at the National Cathedral (outdoors, open to the public). A closed indoor gathering follows (+livestreamed).
- 2:30pm: "Unity Walk" along Embassy Row.
- Evening: Overnight stop at GWU.
Wednesday
- 1:30pm: Walk from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial.
- 2:30–4pm: Peace gathering at the Lincoln Memorial.
- 4:30pm: Meditation session at GWU's Smith Center.