"We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us."
-- Bhikkhu Pannakara, spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace
I’ve been thinking about the group of Buddhist monks and their dog, Aloka, who began their journey in Fort Worth, Texas, and have been walking approximately 20 miles a day for about 80 days now.
That’s getting up in the morning, walking for 20 miles among traffic and throngs of well-wishers, supporters, and thankful folk inspired by their dedication, having one meal a day, sleeping, generally outside, then doing it the next day, and the next for approximately 120 days.
And I complained about a 30-hour course I am taking.
I fear for the monks and Aloka as they turn north toward Washington, D.C. It can be bitterly cold there.
I was disheartened this morning when a friend told me she hadn’t heard of the monks' walk for Peace.
Isn’t it in the news?
Their story is abundantly recorded, videoed, and posted on Instagram—their walking, their millions of followers, Aloka, their street dog from India, now a peace promoter, and the story of one monk who lost a leg when a truck plowed into their escort vehicle, which ricocheted into the marchers, injuring two monks.
Still, the able-bodied monks march, accompanied by Aloka. I saw him frolicking with a wild boar during one day’s walk. He eagerly greets children, allows them to pet him, romps on the grass beside the roadway, and trots with the group or leads them.
He had to be quarantined when he arrived in the US, (In one picture, I saw the facility's logo that tenderly cared for him during quarantine—it was ARC). Quarantine meant being separated from his tribe for a time. And three days ago, he had surgery for an injured leg, another separation.
Today I saw him reunited with his group, but only for a short while; he must go back to rehabilitation.
While still in India, he was struck by a car and became ill, but he joined the monks there on a 112-mile walk for peace, and they wouldn’t leave him behind.
Now he is the Peace Dog in the US.
This group of monks and their faithful companion is a shining moment in an otherwise depressing and discouraging time.
Perhaps a silent walk asking only for Peace, Kindness, and Compassion will show the way. Perhaps a whisper for peace speaks louder than a shout.
And to all the folks out in the streets, respectfully watching them pass, urging them on, offering water or food, offering flowers, eager to pat Aloka, and looking out for his safety, I commend you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️You are what makes America Great—your heart, ❤️ your love, ❤️ your yearning for peace and stability. You want a land where you can breathe free, a land without constant fear and disruption. You have gentle psyches. Those psyches deserve protection from constant wrangling, fear, and distrust.
You are the Peace Lovers, the people lovers, and the life-affirming folks.
I wanted to tell everyone about the Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace, and their faithful companion, Aloka. I figured they had already heard of it. But then the friend told me she didn’t know about it, so I’m back here showing pictures and telling you that there are lovely compassionate people in our country.
To follow and keep abreast of their whereabouts, please go to Instagram: Walkforpeace.usa or alokathepeacedog
Aloka will not walk the entire distance because of his surgery. He will be walking short distances to build up his strength while allowing his leg to recover. If he had his way, he would be walking with them. When they placed him in a vehicle, he made it clear he would rather walk, even if it’s cold.
The monks ask for nothing. They walk for Peace, Kindness, and Compassion, and with the prayer that this is not a one-time event but a peace for all time.
That’s it.
News stories:
or
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/13/buddhist-monks-walk-peace/88160541007/
“The more at peace you become, the less you tolerate chaos.
“You stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you.
_You stop showing up in places that disturb your calm.”
--Tibetan Monk