Fort Worth Buddhist monks arrive in Virginia after walking 2,000 miles for peace
Texas Buddhist Monks arrive in Virginia after walking 2,000 miles
A remarkable journey of peace, Buddhist monks from Fort Worth who have walked more than 2,000 miles promoting peace and hope, have reached northern Virginia on the final leg of their cross-country trek.
FORT WORTH, Texas - Buddhist monks from North Texas are finishing up their 2,000-mile Walk for Peace.
Walk for Peace
What we know:
The monks began their march in Fort Worth back in October. They’ll complete it next week in Washington, D.C.
Their mission has been simple. They’ve walked more than 2,000 miles all in the name of peace.
They’re hoping to help people.
Big picture view:
As simple as the mission is, it has moved millions of people.
People have followed the monks’ journey online. Some have even joined them on city streets, desperate to witness and be a part of something so pure.
Buddhist monks braving arctic conditions near end of 2,300-mile ‘Walk for Peace’
Defying a major winter storm, Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace" are braving freezing rain, sleet, and sub-20-degree temperatures across North Carolina.
What they're saying:
The monks said they’ve seen so much suffering that they thought a walk might encourage people to slow down and prompt peace.
"I felt like this is where I needed to be. I felt like this is what the world needed," said Venerable Bhante Pannakara. "I believe we’ve brought a lot of joy and hope to the people."
They were taken aback by the impact of their journey.
"I have encountered many people who came to me and said you saved my life during this walk. And that shocked me because we simply just walked," Pannakara said.
Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace
If you’ve spotted a calm, confident dog padding along beside a group of Buddhist monks — sometimes dressed better than the humans — you’ve likely met Aloka, better known as the Peace Dog.
What's next:
The group chose Washington, D.C. as their end destination because it’s the nation’s capital. But they pray it will only end literally and not figuratively.
"I truly hope after this walk it won’t end in Washington D.C. We truly hope people will continue this walk in their life," Pannakara said.
The Source: FOX's Sydney Persing gathered information for this story by interviewing Venerable Bhante Pannakara just before the final leg of his journey.