A group of Buddhist monks is on a dedicated walking journey across the United States, advocating for peace. This effort continues despite a recent incident where a truck collided with their convoy, resulting in injuries to two monks.
Beginning in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, this group of roughly 20 monks has traversed to Washington, D.C., and recently arrived in Georgia, showcasing a long-standing tradition of Buddhist peace activism.
On Tuesday, they are set to walk a new portion through Georgia, specifically from Morrow to Decatur, located on the eastern fringes of Atlanta.
In honor of the 66th day of their journey, the monks are also hosting a peace rally in Decatur that afternoon.
One monk, accompanied by his dog Aloka, is journeying through ten states towards Washington, D.C. They’re expected to pass near Athens, Georgia, soon, along with stops in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in North Carolina, as well as Richmond, Virginia, on their way to the capital.
The group has garnered significant attention on social media, amassing over 400,000 followers.
Aloka’s name derives from the Sanskrit word for enlightenment, and the dog has gained popularity with the hashtag #AlokathePeaceDog.
The group’s Facebook page offers regular updates on their journey, along with motivational messages and poetry.
One recent post emphasized their collective spirit: “We do not walk alone. We walk with all those whose hearts are open to peace, whose hearts choose kindness, whose daily lives are gardens where understanding grows.”
However, their journey has been perilous. According to Dayton Interim Police Chief Shane Burley, the monks were walking on the side of a highway in Texas last month when a truck, failing to recognize their slow pace, collided with their escort vehicle, which then struck two monks.
One monk sustained a “major leg injury” and was airlifted to a hospital in Houston. The other monk, who had less severe injuries, was taken to a different hospital in the area.
As for the monk with the serious injuries, he is set to undergo several surgeries to mend broken bones, but his prognosis looks positive, as per a spokesperson for the group.
Buddhism, rooted in the teachings of Gautama Buddha—a prince who became a teacher in northern India—has spread widely since its inception between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. After his passing, it reached different regions of Asia and found its way to the West in the 20th century.
Central to Buddhist philosophy is the teaching that liberation from suffering and the cycles of existence comes through practices like nonviolence, meditation, and compassion for all living beings.
Despite its various sects, Buddhism maintains a profound legacy of peace activism. Pioneers like the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh have effectively linked its core principles to issues like politics, environmental concerns, social justice, and peace initiatives globally.
