Buddhist monks — and their pup — persist in peace walk across US despite injuries
A group of Buddhist monks is continuing their cross-country walking trek to promote peace, even after two members were injured when a truck struck their escort vehicle.
The journey began in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26. The group of about two dozen monks has now reached Georgia as they make their way toward Washington, DC, showcasing Buddhism’s long-standing commitment to peace and activism.
On Tuesday, the monks planned to walk from Morrow to Decatur, on the eastern edge of Atlanta. Day 66 of their trek included a public Peace Gathering in Decatur, inviting the community to join in their message of compassion.
Traveling with them is their faithful dog, Aloka, whose name comes from a Sanskrit word meaning enlightenment. Aloka even has a dedicated hashtag, #AlokathePeaceDog. The group is passing through 10 states on their route to the nation’s capital, including stops near Athens, Georgia; Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia. Their journey has attracted a large following online, with more than 400,000 Facebook followers keeping up with updates, reflections, and poetry shared by the group.
“We do not walk alone. We walk together with every person whose heart has opened to peace, whose spirit has chosen kindness, whose daily life has become a garden where understanding grows,” the monks recently posted online.
The journey has not been without risks. Last month, near Dayton, Texas, their escort vehicle—hazard lights on—was struck by a truck. Dayton Interim Police Chief Shane Burleigh said the truck failed to account for the slow-moving vehicle and struck it from behind, pushing the escort into two monks.
One monk suffered serious leg injuries and was airlifted to a Houston hospital. The other monk sustained minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The seriously injured monk is expected to undergo multiple surgeries, though his recovery outlook is positive, according to a group spokeswoman.
Buddhism, founded on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, emphasizes ending suffering through non-violence, meditation, and compassion for all beings. The religion spread throughout Asia after Buddha’s time and reached the West in the 20th century. Despite the growth of various Buddhist traditions, the practice of peace activism remains central, championed by figures such as the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh. Their teachings have applied principles of compassion and non-violence to political, environmental, and social justice initiatives worldwide.
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