Hundreds of supporters lined the streets of east Fort Worth on Saturday morning to welcome the Buddhist monks home after their 2,300 mile Walk for Peace.
By 7 a.m., a large-sized group had already gathered at Eastover Park, where the monks were due to arrive. Someone scattered red and white rose petals on the road and several people were carrying bouquets of flowers.
Local area Buddhist monks arrive to greet monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace as they arrived back at the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Yvonne Hanson left her home in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, at 6 a.m. Thursday and drove more than 17 hours to so she could be on time to walk with the monks on the last leg of their journey from the park to their temple, the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center.
Hanson told the Star-Telegram that she’d been among the millions of people following the monks’ journey on social media.
“My heart just wanted to burst,” she said. “I just felt it was something I had to do.”
Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace arrive back at the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
More than 1,200 people packed the entrance and grounds of the center to welcome the Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace as they arrived back at the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Kristen Hackenberg from Cache, Oklahoma, contrasted the monks’ message of peace to the political divisions that continue to roil the nation.
“Look what we can do if we come together,” Hackenberg said.
Dragon dancers greeted the Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace as they arrived back at the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace arrive back to the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
The monks set off from the Fort Worth temple on Oct. 26. Clad in brown robes and carrying simple packs on their shoulders, they prepared to walk to Washington, D.C., on a mission to promote national healing and unity.
The trip took a total of 112 days. They returned to Fort Worth around 8:45 a.m. Saturday in a charter bus. The men were greeted by cheers from the onlookers, and the majority joined them for the approximately mile-and-a-half walk to the temple.
Several people along the walk route prayed for the Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace as they arrived back at the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Danielle Deraleau said she’s been following the walk online, and she’s been pleased to see how many people have turned out to support the monks in their various stops.
“It’s nice to see something online that makes me feel hopeful,” she said.
Hundreds fill the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday Feb. 14, 2026 to welcome home the Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Buddhist monks who walked nearly 2,300 miles to Washington D.C. for peace sit in the front of the Húóng Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
A large crowd of thousands of devotees and government officials welcomed Buddhist monks from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 10-11, as they completed their 2,300-mile walk.
After completing the 112-day journey across 10 states, the monks will be arriving home in Fort Worth for public events on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Here’s what to know if you want to join the celebration:
Residents can join the approximately six-mile walk from the Water Gardens to Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center at 4717 E. Rosedale St., the place where the walk started in October.
Lunch will be served at the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone who would like to donate food is asked to contact 817-557-7257.
Following the lunch, a peace gathering, which is open to everyone, will be hosted at the center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate the completion of this journey.
“We would be deeply honored to have you walk with us on this final homecoming walk and to share in the joy and gratitude of returning home,” the invitation says.
Shambhavi covers crime, law enforcement and other breaking news in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. She graduated from the University of North Texas and previously covered a variety of general assignment topics in West Texas. She grew up in Nepal.
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.
Bhikkhu Pannakara and fellow monks pray before beginning their walk for peace in October in Fort Worth. Shambhavi Rimal srimal@star-telegram.com
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.
Nineteen Buddhist monks began a 2,300-mile walk in October from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., promoting national healing, unity and compassion. The monks will return to Fort Worth on Feb. 14. Shambhavi Rimal srimal@star-telegram.com
“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.
Shambhavi covers crime, law enforcement and other breaking news in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. She graduated from the University of North Texas and previously covered a variety of general assignment topics in West Texas. She grew up in Nepal.
Hundreds of people encircled a group of Buddhist monks at Jordan Lake on Friday, keeping their voices to murmurs and whispers as they tried to hear monk Bhikku Pannakara speak.
Some balanced the balls of their feet on low-hanging tree branches just to see the monks. Many held their phones as high as they could, some FaceTiming their friends and loved ones. Still others carried flowers they hoped to hand the monks.
At the State Recreation Area, the monks answered questions and spoke about avoiding the “suffering” of being overly attached to people — even family. They encouraged the crowd to practice mindfulness by noticing their breath and repeating daily mantras when they wake up.
Afterward, the 17 monks resumed day 90 of their Walk for Peace to Washington, D.C., flanked by Chatham County Sheriff’s Office pickup trucks as they walked eastbound on U.S. 64. They planned to rest in the evening in northeast Apex before heading out again Saturday morning. They are expected to reach the state Capitol building by Saturday afternoon and arrive in the nation’s capital Feb. 10 or 11.
It is unclear how, if at all, the coming winter storm will affect the monks’ plans for heading through Raleigh. The city issued a news release Friday night asking people who want to greet the monks to monitor the city’s official social media channels for updates on their anticipated arrival time.
As he spoke to the crowd Friday, Pannakara reflected that he didn’t expect so many people to be following the monks’ journey — especially not in the cold and rain. But seeing so many people moved to tears informed him that this was the right thing to do, he said.
“It means that we suffer a lot … that when someone talks about doing something for peace, we go all in for it,” Pannakara said.
A procession of Buddhist monks walks along U.S. Highway 64 near Wilsonville on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, as thousands of onlookers line the highway to welcome them. The monks are making a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Texas to Washington, D.C., as part of the Walk for Peace, an effort to promote peace, compassion and national unity. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
While many in front of her stood on their tippy toes to catch a glance of Pannakara, Leslie Hines sat on a patterned carpet with, among other items, a lyre — inspired by the story of David from the Bible — a white duck with purple hearts — a personal symbol of peace — and burning incense she got from Cairo, Egypt.
Even if she couldn’t see the monks, Hines, who came from Greensboro, just wanted to be in their presence. She took from Pannakara’s talk how to carry her peace with her, with declarations like “may I be well, may I be happy, may I be peaceful.”
As a 12-year Navy veteran, Hines said she’s seen other countries and cultures and knew she had to practice detachment and peace.
“I know our country needs to understand what peace is,” she said. “Our country is the most deceived on what peace is.”
Hundreds of vehicles are parked along U.S. Highway 64 Jordan Lake in Chatham County on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, as thousands of onlookers wait to catch a view of Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Texas to Washington, D.C., as part of the “Walk for Peace,” an effort to promote peace, compassion and national unity. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Just like in Pittsboro on Thursday, the Walk for Peace drew hundreds of cars to Apex, where drivers parked on the highway’s grass medians to walk with the monks.
Several onlookers came to their knees and bowed in the monks’ presence.
The monks stopped for those who were sick — including a man in a wheelchair and a woman with a card saying she had Lyme’s Disease and needed a prayer — and briefly sung a prayer before continuing their walk. Tears streaked down the woman’s cheeks as she received the monks’ prayer.
As the monks approached, Diana D’Abruzzo snapped a photo before telling herself she needed to experience the moment.
So she used a black sweater as a makeshift mat as she came to her knees, closed her eyes and brought her palms together.
“That [picture] might stay on your phone forever, and you might never look at it,” D’Abruzzo said. “But if you actually sit and absorb the moment, you’ll experience it deeper.”
D’Abruzzo, who came from Chapel Hill, has followed the monks since they were in South Carolina. She knew there would be like-minded people looking for peace among suffering, and she spent most of her time talking to two people she had never met before.
“Just knowing that there are other people out there like you who want to see a better world is so heartening when things are so dark,” she said. “And things are so dark right now.”
In Raleigh, the monks are expected to start walking from N.C. State’s Poole Jr. All Faiths Chapel (1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603) at 2 p.m. on Saturday and arrive at the NC State Capitol for at 3:30 p.m.
Aloka the Peace Dog rides in the passenger seat of an RV as a procession of Buddhist monks walks along U.S. Highway 64 in Wilsonville on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The monks are making a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Texas to Washington, D.C., as part of the Walk for Peace, an effort to promote peace, compassion and national unity. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 6:29 PM.
Twumasi Duah-Mensah is a Breaking News Reporter for The News & Observer. He began at The N&O as a summer intern on the metro desk. Triangle born and Tar Heel bred, Twumasi has bylines for WUNC, NC Health News and the Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media. Send him tips and good tea places at (919) 283-1187.
Aloka the Peace Dog was reunited with the Walk for Peace monks for the first time since undergoing leg surgery following an injury during the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace in early January. The reunion happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Aloka briefly appeared in front of supporters during the group’s lunch stop. He appeared to be in good spirits. The monks say his spirits remain high and he is healing well. “We are happy to share that Aloka is recovering very well from his surgery,” the group wrote on a Facebook post after his surgery.Video below: More about the Walk for Peace and the monks’ stop in North CarolinaA team at the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in Charleston, South Carolina, performed the surgery and assisted Aloka through the early stages of his recovery.The monks say Aloka received a professional therapy massage and red-light therapy. He will not be walking with the group for now so he can continue healing.Find a map of the monks’ path on sister statin WXII’s website.
Aloka the Peace Dog was reunited with the Walk for Peace monks for the first time since undergoing leg surgery following an injury during the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace in early January.
The reunion happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Aloka briefly appeared in front of supporters during the group’s lunch stop. He appeared to be in good spirits.
The monks say his spirits remain high and he is healing well. “We are happy to share that Aloka is recovering very well from his surgery,” the group wrote on a Facebook post after his surgery.
Video below: More about the Walk for Peace and the monks’ stop in North Carolina
A team at the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in Charleston, South Carolina, performed the surgery and assisted Aloka through the early stages of his recovery.
The monks say Aloka received a professional therapy massage and red-light therapy. He will not be walking with the group for now so he can continue healing.
Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C., for peace should reach Charlotte by mid- to late next week, according to the group’s posts and maps on social media documenting their 2,300-mile journey.
“Let us walk together in spirit today — wherever you are, whatever you’re doing,” the group posted on Facebook Saturday morning as the 19 monks and Aloka the Peace Dogtrekked from Lexington, South Carolina, toward Columbia.
“With each mindful breath you take, with each compassionate choice you make, you are helping peace bloom more beautifully in this world,” the monks wrote.
With a crowd of followers, the group reached the State House in Columbia around 1:30 p.m.
“May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace,” the monks said in a video post.
Buddhist monks with the Walk for Peace chant before speaking with a crowd gathered at Nazareth Methodist Church in Leesville, SC. The Buddhist monks Walk for Peace stopped at the church to rest overnight after speaking to the crowd. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
A map of their walk says the monks could arrive in Charlotte any day through Tuesday, Jan. 20. Measuring the daily distance they’ve covered on their 120-day journey, The Charlotte Observer figured the monks’ arrival at mid- to late next week. We’ll keep you posted.
The map also shows Greensboro and Raleigh, although the exact route is not included.
‘Couldn’t find parking’
One thing is certain: The monks draw crowds, so get ready, Charlotteans.
A Buddhist monk offers blessing bracelets to a crowd gathered at Nazareth Methodist Church on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The monks rested for the night at the church while taking a break from their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
People drive from neighboring states as well to meet and kneel in prayer with them.
“We drove two hours to attend this event, but couldn’t find parking within several miles when we got there,” a woman posted on the monks’ Walk for Peace Facebook page on Friday with an emoji of hands clasped in prayer.
Although she never got close to the monks, “seeing so many people engaging this way brought me hope,” the woman said.
Local police and sheriff’s deputies in cars with sirens flashing escort the monks through their towns and counties — after they pose for photos and video with them.
A group of Buddhist monks walk along U.S. 378 in Saluda County with the Walk for Peace on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The group of Buddhist monks is walking 2,300 miles, from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., spreading a message of peacefulness. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
If you’re lucky enough to get close, the monks hand out free blessing cords — “a token of loving-kindness and peace,” according to the Walk for Peace website.
“I ask for your permission to lead this journey,” Pannakara said, sitting before a statue of the Buddha, according to the Star-Telegram. “In this journey, we have two senior monks — one from Laos who is 70 years old — and monks from Taiwan and Vietnam. Wherever we go, monks from that location will join us for two to three days,” he said.
See how to support the monks by visiting their website.
Anna Roman of The News & Observer contributed.
This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 11:46 AM.
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
Volunteers from The Way to Happiness Association of Toronto joined the Walk For Values 2019
Press Release –
updated: Jun 5, 2019
TORONTO, June 5, 2019 (Newswire.com)
– The Way to Happiness volunteers from the Church of Scientology Toronto joined peace-loving people from throughout the city who gathered at Nathan Phillips Square and walked together to show their support for the Walk for Values campaign. The walk was organized by the Sathya Sai School of Canada.
Walk for Values began in Toronto in 2003 and is now celebrated in 30 cities across Canada and the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia. Its purpose is to raise awareness and respect for five human values: Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Nonviolence.
These values are shared by The Way to Happiness Association of Toronto, whose members live by the common-sense precepts of The Way to Happiness by author, humanitarian and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, which begins with these words:
True joy and happiness are valuable.
If one does not survive, no joy and no happiness are obtainable.
Trying to survive in a chaotic, dishonest and generally immoral society is difficult.
Any individual or group seeks to obtain from life what pleasure and freedom from pain that they can.
Your own survival can be threatened by the bad actions of others around you.
I am sure you can think of instances of this actually happening. Such wrongs reduce one’s survival and impair one’s happiness.
You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others.
The happiness or unhappiness of others you could name is important to you.
Without too much trouble, using this book, you can help them survive and lead happier lives.
While no one can guarantee that anyone else can be happy, their chances of survival and happiness can be improved. And with theirs, yours will be.
Walk organizers ask each participant to pledge to practice one or more of the five values — truth, right conduct, peace, love and nonviolence — in their daily lives to become better Canadians and global citizens.
The Church of Scientology and its members are proud to share the tools for happier living contained in The Way to Happiness. Some 117 million copies have been distributed in 186 nations.
