Snelville, December 17, 2025 – A group of Buddhist monks walking from Texas to the nation's capital will soon make their way through metro Atlanta as part of an ambitious journey to promote peace and compassion.
The pilgrimage began in late October when nearly two dozen monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth set out on foot. Their destination: Washington, D.C., where they plan to arrive in mid-February after covering more than 2,300 miles.
Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara leads the group, which includes their beloved companion dog, Aloka. The monks follow traditional practices, eating just one meal daily and sleeping outdoors under trees along their route.
As of mid-December, the walking monks reached Meridian, Mississippi, marking their 50th day on the road. They're currently making their way through Alabama's western counties before crossing into Georgia. Based on their steady pace of 20 to 25 miles per day, Atlanta residents can expect to see them sometime around the new year.
The journey hasn't been without hardship. In late November, a traffic accident near Houston injured two monks when a truck struck their escort vehicle. Bhante Dam Phommasan, who serves as abbot at Wat Buddha Khanti in Atlanta, suffered serious injuries requiring leg amputation. Despite this setback, the group continues their mission.
Their route through the South includes stops in Montgomery, Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh, Richmond, and Annapolis before reaching the U.S. Capitol on February 13. At each stop, local communities have turned out to welcome them, sometimes drawing crowds of hundreds.
Those interested in following their progress can check a live map updated several times daily at walkforpeace.short.gy/map. The monks also post regular updates on social media, sharing photos and details about their lunch stops and overnight locations.
The walk represents more than just physical endurance. The monks hope to spread a message of loving-kindness across America, demonstrating through their actions the Buddhist principles of peace and compassion.
Local Buddhist communities are already preparing to welcome the group when they arrive in Georgia. The monks' 110-day pilgrimage serves as a reminder that even in turbulent times, the simple act of walking together can unite people around shared values of harmony and goodwill.
For more information about the Walk for Peace and planned Atlanta-area events, visit their Facebook page or contact local Buddhist temples.
