More than a dozen Buddhist monks stopped in West Houston on 14 November as part of a 3,000-kilometer pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC, aimed at spreading messages of peace, unity, and compassion.
The group of Theravada monks, based at Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, began their 110-day “Walk for Peace” on 26 October, and will pass through 10 states before reaching the US capital in February 2026. The start of the journey drew support from across the state, including Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott and US Congressman Marc Veasey (Democrat, Fort Worth).*
“Our Walk for Peace is to raise awareness of peace, love, kindness, and compassion to everybody,” said Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, who is leading the journey. “We hope that our country will heal and that everyone will live with harmony and unity.” (Houston Public Media)
The monks’ stop in Houston drew local residents, supporters, and curious visitors to Hong Kong City Mall on Bellaire Boulevard, where the community hosted a welcome ceremony and offered a meal to the travelers. According to Buddhist custom, lay followers offered food as alms, serving a buffet lunch in the parking lot as the monks rested before resuming their journey.
“I believe that in this time, where more than half of the world is in chaos, fear, or fight, we need to be intentional to do events and bring people together,” said Democratic state representative Suleman Lalani, who attended the gathering. “Together in peace, and together in unity, and this is the perfect example.” (Houston Public Media)
Since setting out from Fort Worth, the monks have passed through several Texas communities, including Burleson, Grandview, and Austin. During their stop in the state capital, they entered the Texas State Capitol building and gathered in the rotunda for meditation and reflection.
The monks’ journey is being chronicled through daily social media posts under the title “Walk for Peace,” sharing photographs of the group walking along highways and rural paths, often greeted by local supporters and well-wishers. Their most recognizable companion has become Aloka, a dog walking with them since the beginning of their trek, who has attracted attention and affection from followers along the route.
“All the monks are tired and blistered and everything,” Bhikkhu Pannakara said, smiling as he described the physical challenges of the walk. “But we are trying our best to finish this journey because we have already taken it on. It will be worth it if our country can be healed and if the people we meet along the path find peace for themselves.” (Houston Public Media)
From Houston, the Walk for Peace will continue east through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia before concluding in Washington, DC. Along the way, the monks plan to visit temples, community centers, and state capitals to offer blessings and encourage reflection on inner and collective peace.
The journey echoes a long tradition of Buddhist walking pilgrimages, emphasizing simplicity, endurance, and human connection as expressions of faith. In recent decades, similar peace walks have been undertaken in the US and around the world, inspired by the Buddhist teachings on nonviolence and interdependence.
Ven. Bhikkhu Pannakara told reporters: “Peace only happens when you pause, pay attention to your breath, to what you are doing just for a moment—otherwise, it won’t happen. We don’t expect this world, the government officials to bring peace to us, but we need to bring peace to ourselves. Once we are at peace, we can radiate that.” (Houston Chronicle)
* Buddhist Monks Begin Pilgrimage for Peace from Texas to Washington, DC (BDG)
See more
These Buddhist monks stopped in Houston on their 2,000-mile walk to Washington (Houston Public Media)
Fort Worth monks on 2,300-mile Walk for Peace make Houston stop Friday. Here’s what to know. (Houston Chronicle)
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