Do they talk? Can you pet the Peace Dog? What to know as monks near Charlotte
A group of Buddhist monks — joined by Aloka the Peace Dog — are walking 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington, D.C., and expect to arrive in Charlotte soon.
The Walk for Peace has drawn crowds at stops along the way, with people traveling from other states to meet the monks, pray with them and receive blessing cords, The Charlotte Observer reported.
The monks share daily updates and messages of compassion online, urging followers to “walk together in spirit” and spread peace wherever they are.
Here’s what you need to know.
How to track the monks
You can track the monks online by using the official Walk for Peace live tracking map, which shows their route and their approximate daily progress.
When will the monks get to Charlotte?
It could be sooner than we think.
As of Jan. 12, the monks were scheduled to arrive in Charlotte on Thursday, but the live tracking map shows them slated to arrive in Rock Hill Tuesday night, meaning they could be here by Wednesday.
Do the monks talk?
Mostly, no.
The monks observe what’s often called “noble silence” during much of the journey. As they walk, they typically don’t engage in casual conversation, chant or give interviews. The silence is part of the practice, meant to cultivate mindfulness and keep the focus on peace, compassion and presence.
That doesn’t mean they never speak. At stops, public gatherings or scheduled events, monks may offer brief teachings, blessings or messages. They also communicate through written posts and videos shared by organizers.
Do the monks sleep?
Yes. Each day includes rest periods, meals and time to sleep, usually in modest accommodations arranged by volunteers, local temples or community hosts along the route
How to get a blessing cord
The monks offer blessing cords for free as a gift of peace and mindfulness to anyone they meet along the walk, according to their website.
The cords aren’t sold or mailed, and receiving one is meant to be a personal, in-person moment of connection with the journey, though friends can pick one up for you.
Can you pet Aloka?
Not really. Aloka is considered part of the walk’s spiritual practice, just like the monks themselves. While he’s gentle and friendly, interactions with him are meant to stay calm and respectful. Organizers often ask people not to crowd him, overstimulate him or treat him like a typical “meet-and-greet” dog.
Can you buy monk merch?
Yes, but there aren’t any official products. “Please note that the Walk for Peace does NOT sell any merchandise, products, or services online or at our stops,” a post from the group’s Instagram page reads.
Some unofficial products, such as t-shirts, are available on sites like Etsy.
How to support the monks
You can support the monks by making an online donation to help fund the walk and support their mission through their official donation page on Zeffy.
You can also send donations directly via Zelle using the following email address: huongdaovip2018@yahoo.com.
This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 11:47 AM.
