By Andrian Putra
A pilgrimage of peace made a powerful impression across metro Atlanta as 19 Buddhist monks completed a major stretch of their 2,300-mile walk from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., drawing thousands of supporters and onlookers along the way. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara and accompanied by Aloka the Peace Dog, the four-month journey—starting from October 26, 2025, to February 13, 2026—aims to promote compassion, mindfulness, and unity across communities divided by culture, faith, and politics.
A Resounding Welcome in Morrow
The monks’ stop in Morrow on December 29 drew one of the largest crowds of the entire journey. Thousands gathered at the Morrow Center, prompting Mayor John Lampl to call it the most significant turnout yet.
“It’s a very calm, happy, excited crowd,” Lampl said. “Peace is a message we all understand. We want a peaceful community and a peaceful world, and that’s what they’re delivering.”
Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the collective power of unity across differences.
“We come with different backgrounds, different languages, different faiths,” he said. “But we come together like this. This is peace. This is unity. This is what the world needs.”
Cold Weather, Warm Resolve in Decatur
The following day in Decatur, thousands more gathered despite bitter cold and high winds, some waiting up to nine hours to see the monks. The atmosphere reflected both endurance and shared purpose.
State Rep. Ruwa Romman noted that many attendees were drawn by a need for connection. “People told me they were here because they feel deeply troubled and wanted a moment of community,” she said.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock praised the monks’ quiet leadership. “We could certainly use a lot more kindness,” he said. “They’ve taught us how to walk humbly—literally walk humbly.”
Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara emphasized that peace begins with daily intention. “If we practice mindfulness every day—within our families, our communities, our society—the world will naturally become more peaceful,” he said.
A Reunion in Snellville
The journey through Georgia concluded with an emotional reunion at Wat Buddha Khanti in Snellville on December 31. There, the monks were reunited with Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan, who had been forced to stop walking after being struck by a car earlier in the journey. In a quiet and reverent moment, each monk offered him a flower and a blessing.
“We knew he couldn’t walk now,” one monk said, “but at the end, in Washington, D.C., we will bring him for the final segment.”
Venerable Abbot Maha Dam, visibly moved, reflected on the journey’s impact. “I am very proud of what we have already created,” he said. “To see how this message has touched so many communities—there are no words.”
Local residents echoed that sentiment. “It’s an incredible, humbling experience,” said James Johnson of Gwinnett County. “This is the right message for the time we’re living in.”
A Message That Resonates
As the monks continue their pilgrimage toward the nation’s capital, their passage through Georgia has left a lasting imprint—one defined by quiet reflection, cross-cultural connection, and a shared hope for a more compassionate world.
