Nineteen Buddhist monks completed their peace walk in Washington, D.C., after they started walking in Texas in October. Ed O'Keefe spoke to the group's leader about their 15-week, 2,300-mile trek across eight U.S. states.

Washington

A group of Buddhist monks, led by Biku Panyakara and his dog Aloka, completed a 'Walk for Peace' from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. The journey, which began with uncertainty about public interest, gained momentum as crowds joined along the route, particularly after reaching Georgia.

The monks faced record cold temperatures and ongoing global and domestic violence during their trek. They were supported by communities, staying in parks, churches, and college campuses. The monks encouraged people to focus on peace daily and expressed willingness to undertake similar walks in the future, inspired by the hope they witnessed.

Buddhist monks' "Walk for Peace" reaches Washington, D.C.

The group's leader, Biku Panyakara, that's him in the front, didn't know if his idea of a walk would draw a crowd when they set out from Fort Worth, Texas, or that his dog, Aloka, would become such a viral star. But by the time they reached Georgia, the crowds started coming. Seeing that, it's really touched my heart, and then tells me that I have to choose the right path. The walk has coincided not only with record cold temperatures across many of the states they trekked, but with ongoing violence around the world and here at home. And of course, seeing so much people coming out also make me sad, because without suffering, they wouldn't come out. Along the way, the monks and Aloka camped out in parks and were quite touched to be hosted at churches and college campuses, like George Washington University, where we met. Can peace be achieved in such a broken world? It is possible. Peace has begun. Today is going to be my peaceful day. Just write that down on a piece of paper and a pen. Today is going to be my peaceful day. If all the people in this world are doing together and saying that together to spread that to the universe, this world definitely will change. The monks say if the opportunity presents itself, they will do another walk, especially knowing how much hope it's given to people across their journey. Nate, as he said, write it down. Say it to yourself every day. Today is going to be my peaceful day. Yeah. That's right. I hear you on that. And that's what we need here in this country and around the world. More peace.

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