Over the past few months, you might have seen viral clips of a group of monks walking across the United States. Many videos show people lining the sides of the road offering water, food, words of encouragement, or other forms of support to the group of monks. But why exactly did the monks start this journey?
Peace walks are part of Theravada Buddhism and they often last for months. This internet-famous walk began on October 26, 2025, and ended on February 12, 2026. While on their journey, the 19 monks ate only one meal a day and slept underneath trees, which are practices meant to encourage “humility, endurance, and spiritual focus,” according to an article in USA Today.
The purpose of the walk was not to bring peace, but to serve as a reminder of peace. The monks also hoped to encourage people across the United States to practice mindfulness, which they believe is the “key to peace,” as one monk told NPR.
The walk was not without incidents. While walking along the side of the highway, the monks’ escort vehicle was hit by another car. One member of the group was seriously injured in the crash, and needed to have a leg amputated. The group’s rescue dog, Aloka, required leg surgery in the middle of their trek; luckily, Aloka successfully recovered and rejoined the walk. In addition to these incidents, the monks were walking through freezing temperatures and poor conditions for much of the journey. Some even chose to walk barefoot for portions of the walk in order to feel more present.
The Walk for Peace officially ended in Washington, D.C. after the group covered 2,300 miles on foot from Fort Worth, Texas. Thousands of people gathered to see the monks complete their journey, as they stopped at the Washington National Cathedral and then the Lincoln Memorial. Several monks made speeches, and Tencho Gyatso, the niece of the Dalai Lama, was present and made remarks at the Lincoln Memorial gathering.
The monks then traveled to the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, where they were greeted by Governor Wes Moore, First Lady Dawn Moore, and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, along with other government officials and a crowd of around 12,000 people. Anne Arundel County Executives declared February 12, 2026 to be “Walk for Peace Day” and gave the monks a tour of the State House.
Overall, what struck me as I researched this story was how many people felt inspired, intrigued, or otherwise touched by the walk for peace. Not only the thousands who gathered to see the walk’s completion in D.C. and Maryland, but also the people who lined up in support across every state the monks walked through. That’s not even mentioning the millions of people following along online. Although the monks remained apolitical throughout, there is no denying that our time is one of unrest and uncertainty. The walk for peace is a great reminder that peace is possible and that it is valuable.