Tag: Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana

After completing 110 days of walking to promote peace, national healing and gathering millions of social media followers on their path, a group of Buddhist monks will return home to Fort Worth on Valentine’s Day.

The monks will be departing Washington, D.C., by bus on Feb. 12 and will arrive in downtown Fort Worth at 8 a.m. Feb. 14, the Walk for Peace team said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Residents are asked to join in an approximately six-mile walk that morning from downtown to Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center at 4717 E. Rosedale St. in Fort Worth, where a public peace gathering will be held to celebrate the completion of the journey.

“This is a deeply meaningful moment — completing the full circle,” the post read.

During their journey the monks traveled across 10 states, and more than a million people have followed their progress on the official TikTok account of the Walk for Peace. Some of the videos showcasing their journey have over 10 million views.

It all began in Fort Worth

The 19 Buddhist monks began their 2,300-mile walk from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., in October. They are scheduled to arrive on Feb. 10 in the nation’s capital, where events will be held to honor their efforts to promote peace, unity and compassion.

The monks were joined by a dog found by Bhikkhu Pannakara, vice president of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center and spiritual leader of the walk, during a similar walk in India.

The monks slept under the trees and ate one meal per day. Two RVs rode along on the journey where the food for the monks was prepared, the Star-Telegram previously reported.

The journey came with challenges, including when some of the monks were involved in an accident near Houston in November. One of the monks, Bhante Dam Phommasan, was injured and underwent surgery to remove his leg.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the compassion, prayers, and well-wishes coming from across the globe,” Walk for Peace team members said.

More details of the Feb. 14 march, including the route from downtown Fort Worth, will be shared on the Walk for Peace’s social media accounts.