In late October, a group of 19 Buddhist monks set off for a 2,300-mile trek across the United States, calling for peace.
They began in Fort Worth, Texas, with a final destination of Washington, D.C. About ten days ago, they surpassed their halfway goal in North Carolina. But soon after, they were hit with freezing temperatures and snow as a winter storm rolled through the Southeast U.S.
Still, their mission to spread a message of peace, unity, and healing went undeterred.
The journey, or “Peace Walk,” as the monks call it, will end with a gathering at the United States Capitol, where they’ll share remarks about healing and unity with the public.
The winter weather in North Carolina is just one obstacle to overcome on their mission.
“Our walk takes us through sun and rain, dry roads and wet, through snow and heat, through noise and silence, through crowds and solitude. Some days are gentle. Some days test us. Some days surprise us with unexpected beauty or unexpected difficulty,” the group shared on social media, comparing it to other facets of life.
“There will be times when everything flows smoothly, when the path ahead is clear, and walking feels effortless. And there will be times when the road is rough, when obstacles appear, when we’re cold or tired or uncertain about the next step … We cannot demand that life only bring us comfortable conditions.”
The monks trek through North Carolina snow. Photo by Travis Long/Peace Walk
With this in mind, they added, knowing that life will be uncertain is a path to peace itself.
“This is the peace that lives beneath all circumstances — steady, quiet, unshakeable. It doesn’t depend on perfect weather or smooth roads. It doesn’t require everything to go our way. It simply asks that we show up, breathe consciously, and meet whatever comes with full awareness instead of just reaction.”
During the trek, the monks — and their canine companion, Aloka — will walk through at least 10 states, making stops at state government buildings and communing with locals, sharing reflections on compassion and unity amid social and political division.
Videos online have already shown supporters greeting the monks with flowers, food, and reverent bows. Many posts show local gatherings where people feed the travelers, provide medical care (many of the monks are walking barefoot), and share water and other essentials with the group.
The monks persevere in harsh winter weather. Photo courtesy of Peace Walk/Instagram
Amid harsh winter weather, the monks held off on visiting hours on their daily lunch breaks, though they still encouraged members of the public to track their journey online.
Additionally, though the monks walk with minimal possessions, photos and videos show them in hats, scarves, and boots — not currently barefoot.
Their “peace dog,” Aloka, who has been recovering from surgery, also had limited exposure to the elements, and the group of monks stayed in churches and found indoor accommodations during the storm.
All things considered, their spirits were just as high as they would be on a sunny day.
The monks still made a scheduled stop in Raleigh, North Carolina, where Governor Josh Stein declared January 24 “Walk For Peace Day.”
“We live in a time of partisan rancor and political discord,” Gov. Stein said on the steps of the state’s Capitol building. “In our heart of hearts, we don’t want to feel on guard against our neighbors. We want to come together. Thank you for reminding us of that.”
The monks wrote their own account of the day on their blog.
“Today, in these harsh conditions, surrounded by white snow and biting cold, we saw something even more clearly: the warm faces of people who care. Their kindness stood out against the frozen landscape like light in the darkness, reminding us why we walk, why it matters, why we keep going,” they wrote.
“This journey began with hope, but you have given us something greater: The lived experience of human kindness, the proof that when people come together with shared intention, extraordinary things become possible.”
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Header image by Travis Long/Peace Walk
