With Arrival in D.C., Monks Promote Power of Peace After 2,300-Mile Walk

February 18, 2026

Nineteen Buddhist monks and their rescue dog completed a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., arriving on February 10-11 to promote mindfulness, unity, and harmony during a time of heightened national division. The monks, organized by the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, drew thousands of supporters at locations including American University, the Washington National Cathedral, and the Lincoln Memorial, where they delivered messages emphasizing respect without agreement and peaceful coexistence. Witnessing observers from various backgrounds expressed feeling inspired by the simple yet powerful act of walking for peace, with many reflecting on how the demonstration offered an alternative to the anger and conflict dominating current events.

Who is affected

19 Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center
Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra (vice president of the temple)
Washington, D.C. residents and visitors including Don Alley, Vio Trapsila, and Kimberly
Georgetown University MBA student Angelina Mosher
Thousands of people who gathered at American University's Bender Arena, Washington National Cathedral, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and along Embassy Row
The broader American public experiencing political and social division

What action is being taken

The monks are walking 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. (ongoing as described in the article during their Feb. 10-11 arrival)
The monks are leading peace demonstrations and delivering messages at various D.C. locations
Thousands of people are gathering to witness and support the monks
The monks are offering evening talks
Observers like Kimberly are listening to the monks' evening talks and reducing news consumption
The monks are making final visits in Maryland (described as happening on Feb. 12)

Why it matters

This walk matters because it offers an alternative to the anger, division, and conflict currently dominating American society and global affairs across political, religious, and socioeconomic lines. At a time when tensions are high and people are experiencing worry about the economy, job security, and civil unrest, the monks' simple act of walking demonstrates the power of nonviolent, peaceful resistance and provides hope for unity and harmony. The event serves as a call to action for individuals to practice daily mindfulness and choose harmony over winning, emphasizing that genuine peace begins with internal work that then extends outward to how people treat others. The walk galvanizes people to reconsider their approach to differences, promoting respect without agreement and coexistence without fear, which is particularly crucial given widespread feelings that people have stopped listening to and talking with each other.

What's next

The article states that on Thursday, February 12, the monks made their final visits in Maryland before departing for Fort Worth, Texas. Beyond this immediate next step, the monks issued a call to action for people to practice mindfulness daily, with participants like Mosher committing to more intentional peace practices including caring for friends and family, showing compassion, being cautious with words, and being slow to judgment and anger. However, no other explicit organizational or programmatic next steps are stated in the article.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer