Reflecting on day 91 of the venerable monks’ 2,300-mile journey.
Despite the blistering cold and impending winter storm, Saturday, Jan. 24, was a peaceful day in Raleigh as the Walk for Peace came through the city. As part of their 2,300-mile journey from Fort Worth, Texas, to DC, a group of Buddhist monks and their trusty four-legged companion Aloka held a Peace Gathering at the North Carolina State Capitol, marking day 91 of their honorable trek. Thousands of people—from both near and far—gathered Downtown to witness the spectacle, including Gov. Josh Stein and Mayor Janet Cowell, who proclaimed it Walk for Peace Day.
“Thousands of souls gathered as one, proving that when we choose connection over division, when we choose love over fear, something profound happens,” said the monks. “Thank you to everyone who came to Raleigh. Your presence, your courage to stand in the cold, your willingness to be part of this sacred gathering—it moved us deeply and reminded us why this journey matters. This was a day we will never forget.”
Relive the day via a collection of photos below. We wish the monks well on the rest of their journey!
A group of Buddhist monks are stopping in the City of Oaks on their Southeast trek.
“I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more” may have sounded impressive when The Proclaimers first belted the tune, but their fabricated trek fades in comparison to the 2,300 mileWalk for Peace now underway by a group of Buddhist monks.
Over the course of ~120 days, 19 monks are walking from Texas to DC to raise awareness for peace, unity and understanding. As the pilgrimage makes its way through the Southeast, the group is set to pass through Raleigh Jan. 24, making a stop at the Paul Derr Track Facility at NCSU and giving locals an opportunity to witness the walk or join in.
The peace parade isn’t exactly a walk in the park—the robe-clad group covers roughly 20 miles a day, some even trekking without shoes. To ensure safety and assist with prepping their one meal a day, the group is tailed by a support vehicle. Also following the group is furry companion Aloka, who Pannakara found during another peace walk in India.
The monks’ steps are meant to pound down a simple but profound message: Uplifting peace, compassion and unity during a time of division. When ringing in the new year on the road, the monks took their message to their socials: “Let us walk together, step by step, breath by breath, carrying peace within us and offering it gently to everyone we meet along the way, knowing that every mindful step we take becomes a blessing for the world.”
The walk is both for introspection and public awareness, and while the group hasn’t taken a formal vow of silence, the journey is still a “Silent Movement”—meaning noise from those who gather should be kept to a minimum.
If you decide to join the walk at any point, greet the group with a bow and stay behind them. While physical touching is a hard no, donations of food, water, prayers, flowers and even lodging for overnight stays are welcomed. Above all, remember this peace parade isn’t a spectacle, it’s a chance to reflect on peace and our shared purpose—and to let the message linger long after the monks pass through.
