Buddhist monks draw thousands to Lincoln Memorial on final day of their 15-week journey from Texas

Buddhist Monks Complete Epic 2,300-Mile Peace Walk at Lincoln Memorial

A group of Buddhist monks concluded their remarkable 108-day journey for peace with a moving ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Wednesday. The event drew thousands of supporters who gathered to hear their message of compassion and unity.

Led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara and his dog Aloka, 19 monks completed their 2,300-mile trek that began at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The group traversed several Southern states, often in challenging weather conditions, drawing large crowds in communities along their route.

“The Walk for Peace is not a protest, it is not to convert,” Pannakara told the hushed crowd from the Lincoln Memorial steps. “It’s a reminder that hope still exists when people are willing to care. Hope is the final light that must never go out.”

The monks walked in single file under clear blue skies on Wednesday morning, followed by approximately 100 additional monks and nuns who joined them in Washington. Behind this procession came hundreds of supporters marching silently, some carrying peace signs, while more than 21,000 people worldwide followed via livestream.

The journey has garnered international attention, with the group amassing millions of followers online. Buddhist representatives from Canada, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand attended the final ceremony to honor the achievement. The Venerable Ratanaguna, abbot of the Fort Worth temple and Pannakara’s teacher, expressed joy at seeing such diversity united in Washington.

Adding to the significance of the ceremony, Tencho Gyatso, niece of the 14th Dalai Lama and president of the International Campaign for Tibet, read a special commendation from the 90-year-old spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama praised the monks’ commitment to “promote national healing, unity and compassion,” noting that “their initiative illustrates how religious practitioners can contribute in a constructive way to social harmony and public dialogue.”

As the monks approached Capitol Hill earlier in the day, they were greeted by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi near the Peace Monument. Pannakara, walking barefoot and carrying a yellow rose, wore a robe adorned with pins given by various officials the monks had met throughout their journey.

The journey was not without hardship. In November, outside Houston, the group’s escort vehicle was struck by a truck, injuring two monks. Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan suffered injuries requiring leg amputation. In a powerful moment during Wednesday’s ceremony, Phommasan, who rejoined the group near Washington, addressed the crowd from his wheelchair.

“I was feeling cold, but you all make my heart warm,” Phommasan told the gathered crowd, explaining how mindfulness practices helped him face his amputation with equanimity. “When we walked together, we were very tired, we were cold and we were hot. But, we never gave up.”

Peace walks represent a cherished tradition in Theravada Buddhism. Some monks chose to walk barefoot or in socks for portions of the journey, a practice intended to foster direct connection with the earth and promote present-moment awareness. The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient technique focusing on breath and the mind-body connection.

Throughout their journey, Pannakara’s talks at various stops encouraged listeners to disconnect from digital distractions and seek inner peace. Their message resonated across communities, drawing diverse crowds to churchyards, city halls, and town squares along their route.

Before concluding their journey, the monks made appearances at American University and the Washington National Cathedral for an interfaith conversation that attracted thousands eager to hear Pannakara speak about mindfulness and loving kindness.

Long Si Dong, a spokesperson from the Texas temple where the journey began, reflected on the walk’s culmination: “Seeing so many people move together in respect, calm and shared purpose was a powerful reminder that peace is not a solitary act — it is something we create together.”

The monks’ return to Texas will be considerably less strenuous. After appearing at the Maryland State House, they will travel by bus to Fort Worth, where they plan to walk the final six miles together to the temple where their extraordinary journey began three and a half months ago.