Buddhist monks on cross-country walk for peace set Charlotte arrival date
Buddhist monks walking 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington, D.C., for peace said Sunday they expect to arrive in Charlotte on Thursday, Jan. 15.
“The planned route is subject to change due to weather, logistics, safety concerns, and other unforeseen circumstances,” the monks said on their live update page on Facebook. “We kindly ask that you continue to follow our page closely for the most current updates as we get closer to each location.”
Sunday morning, the monks headed north along U.S. 21 from Columbia and planned to stop for the night in Smallwood, 29 miles north of the state capital, according to the live map of their walk.
“Let us walk together in spirit today — wherever you are, whatever you’re doing,” the group posted on Facebook a day earlier as the 19 monks and Aloka the Peace Dog trekked from Lexington, South Carolina, toward Columbia.
“With each mindful breath you take, with each compassionate choice you make, you are helping peace bloom more beautifully in this world,” the monks wrote.
With a crowd of followers, the group reached the State House in Columbia around 1:30 p.m.
“May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace,” the monks said in a video post.
Sunday, the monks announced expected arrival dates for other cities:
Raleigh, Jan. 24; Richmond, Va., Feb. 1; Fredericksburg, Va., Feb. 5; and Washington, D.C., Feb. 11.
“We deeply appreciate your understanding and flexibility,” the monks posted, saying weather, logistics and safety concerns could alter their route. “Thank you for planning to walk with us! May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace.”
‘Couldn’t find parking’
Expect crowds, Charlotteans.
People drive from neighboring states as well to meet and kneel in prayer with the monks.
“We drove two hours to attend this event, but couldn’t find parking within several miles when we got there,” a woman posted on the monks’ Walk for Peace Facebook page on Friday with an emoji of hands clasped in prayer.
Although she never got close to the monks, “seeing so many people engaging this way brought me hope,” the woman said.
Local police and sheriff’s deputies in cars with sirens flashing escort the monks through their towns and counties — after they pose for photos and video with them.
If you’re lucky enough to get close, the monks hand out free blessing cords — “a token of loving-kindness and peace,” according to the Walk for Peace website.
The walk began at the monks’ Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26, The News & Observer reported.
Their dog Aloka has his own social media following. Aloka was found by Bhikkhu Pannakara, vice president of the center and spiritual leader of the walk, during a peace walk in India, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
“I ask for your permission to lead this journey,” Pannakara said, sitting before a statue of the Buddha, according to the Star-Telegram. “In this journey, we have two senior monks — one from Laos who is 70 years old — and monks from Taiwan and Vietnam. Wherever we go, monks from that location will join us for two to three days,” he said.
Sunday morning, the monks said they have been “deeply touched to see people using our Live Map to track our route and meet us along the road throughout the day. Your dedication to finding us, to sharing even a brief moment of this journey, moves our hearts profoundly.”
See how to support the monks by visiting their website.
Anna Roman of The News & Observer contributed.
This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 11:46 AM.