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Bhikkhu Pannakara, also known as Rev. Nguyen, leads the Fort Worth Buddhist monks homecoming Feb. 14, 2026, at Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report
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Nearly two dozen Buddhist monks who with their dog Aloka participated in a cross-country Walk for Peace return to the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in east Fort Worth on Feb. 14, marking 112 days since their departure.
Their journey began in late October, when they headed south toward Houston before moving east across the nation. They stopped at state capitols and historic landmarks along their way to Washington, D.C.
After walking 2,300 miles, they reached the nation’s capital on Feb. 10, touching the hearts of millions.
The Fort Worth Report partnered with fellow newsrooms participating in the CatchLight Local and Report for America programs to share moments of the monks’ journey.
The monks also widely shared videos from the historic trek on their Walk for Peace social media pages.
Day 0 — FORT WORTH
The Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth invited guests on Oct. 19 to a press conference in preparation of the walk.
Monks sit at the front of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth during a press conference on Oct. 19, 2025, announcing the Walk for Peace. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Tue Nhan Bhikkhu, vice president of the temple also known as the Rev. Nguyen, on Oct. 19, 2025, following the press conference announcing the Walk for Peace. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Day 1 — FORT WORTH
The monks began their walk on Oct. 26 leaving the temple to head toward the Texas Capitol in Austin.
Buddhist monks from Fort Worth’s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center begin their Walk for Peace on Oct. 26, 2025. Marissa Greene | Fort Worth ReportBuddhist monks from Fort Worth’s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center walk through the Stop Six neighborhood during their Walk for Peace initiative Oct. 26, 2025. Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report
Day 25 — HOUSTON AREA
While making their way out of the Houston area, a car struck one of the monks’ escort vehicles on Nov. 19. Some of the monks who were walking on the shoulder of U.S. Route 90 were hit. Bhante Dam Phommasan suffered an injury to his leg. On Dec. 3, he underwent surgery to amputate his leg. He was released from the hospital Dec. 10.
The monks continued through to Louisiana and by Day 41, the monks crossed into Natchez, Mississippi.
The Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, at the front of the line, is the spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace. He led other Buddhist monks and their dog, Aloka, as they crossed the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge from Louisiana and arrived in Natchez on Dec. 5, 2025. Vickie D. King | Mississippi TodayA Buddhist monk greets a mother and her child as he and other monks arrive in Natchez, Mississippi, on Dec. 5, 2025. Vickie D. King | Mississippi Today
Day 55— SELMA, ALABAMA
The monks greeted police officers and other law enforcement officials, many of whom presented the monks with commemorative badges or pins representing their agencies.
The monks stopped in Selma, crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, now a National Historic Landmark, that was the site of the “Bloody Sunday” beatings during a Civil Rights march for African American voting rights in 1965.
Between the 55 and 91 days, the monks traveled through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. In South Carolina, Aloka the dog underwent surgery in early January.
A child holds a sign during the monks’ stop in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Jan. 24, 2026. Walter Gómez | Enlace Latino NC
Despite the cold weather, thousands gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Jan. 24, 2026, to see the Fort Worth Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace journey. Walter Gómez | Enlace Latino NC
The Walk for Peace, led by 44-year-old Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Pannakara, passes the Brook Run shopping center in Henrico County, Virginia on Feb. 3, 2026. Dina Weinstein | Henrico Citizen
A group of children and teachers wait for the arrival of the Buddhist monks along Brook Road Feb. 3, 2026, in Henrico County. Dina Weinstein | Henrico Citizen
The monks participating in the Walk for Peace approach the Dumfries Town Hall on Feb. 7, 2026. Doug Stroud for Prince William Times
Children and adults greet the monks as they approach Dumfries Town Hall on Feb. 7, 2026. Doug Stroud for Prince William Times
One of the monks participating in the Walk for Peace is bundled up to endure the frigid temperatures the group endured on their journey through southeastern Prince William County on Feb. 7, 2026. Doug Stroud for Prince William Times
Day 108 — WASHINGTON, D.C.
The monks crossed into Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, completing their 2,300-mile journey across the nation. Thousands showed up to see the monks at an American University arena and at an interfaith gathering at the Washington National Cathedral.
Buddhist monks walk up Arizona Avenue NW in the Walk for Peace initiative Feb. 10, 2026, shortly after crossing into Washington, D.C. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara speaks to the crowd at the Washington National Cathedral on Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace arrive at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Thousands came out to see them. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Day 109 — WASHINGTON, D.C.
Crowds waited at the Lincoln Memorial in the nation’s capital for the monks’ peace ceremony.
Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace hold a peace gathering and concluding ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 11, 2026. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Aloka the dog at the concluding ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace hold a peace gathering and concluding ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace hold a peace gathering and concluding ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth ReportA large crowd gathered for the Lincoln Memorial ceremony. Sarah L. Voisin for Fort Worth Report
Day 112 — FORT WORTH
The Buddhist monks returned to their Historic Stop Six neighborhood on Feb. 14. Hundreds welcomed the sangha, or community of monks, as they emerged from their bus at Eastover Park. Many followed behind as they walked their last mile home to their center, where they were greeted with rose petals, traditional lion dances and chants.
Bhikkhu Pannakara, also known as Rev. Nguyen, walks off the bus during the Fort Worth Buddhist monks’ homecoming on Feb. 14, 2026, at Eastover Park in the Stop Six neighborhood. Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report
Aloka the peace dog leads the way home to the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Hundreds of people wait for the monks’ arrival at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Bhikkhu Pannakara (left) bows down in reverence to Venerable Ratanaguṇa, abbot of Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, during the Fort Worth monks’ homecoming on Feb. 14. Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report
Bhikkhu Pannakara, also known as Rev. Nguyen, wears pins of various police departments and agencies from across the nation after coming back to Fort Worth. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaYen Tran, a member of the temple, prays with the monks during their receiving ceremony at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Bhikkhu Pannakara thanks everyone who watched the monks’ 2,300-mile journey for peace. Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America
