A group of Buddhist monks, along with their rescue dog from India named Aloka, are captivating Americans as they walk 2,300 miles across the United States to promote peace.
The monks — who started their journey at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas — have amassed millions of followers online and inspired droves of people to greet them as they walk.
“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,” said Bhikkhu Pannakara, spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace, in a written statement as reported by USA Today.
The monks are crossing 10 American states. They started their journey on Oct. 26, and are expected to reach Washington, D.C., by mid-February.
Once there, they will ask Congress to recognize Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment as a federal holiday.
The monks recently traveled through South Carolina, where they explored historic landmarks and communities to share their message and invite moments of reflection.
On their official TikTok page, the monks posted a video for Columbia, S.C., with the caption “South Carolina … we will never forget this.”
@walkforpeaceusa South Carolina… we will never forget this. ????????️ #WalkForPeace#SouthCarolina#PeaceWalk#AlokaThePeaceDog#Unity @Aloka the Peace Dog ♬ Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Accompanied by police escorts, the monks walk while crowds gather around them. The people hand them flowers and kneel before them.
“Last night, I worked a night shift, leaving me with a unique perspective on the quiet calm of the early morning. Upon finishing my shift, I felt compelled to seek out the monks who were doing their #WalkForPeace in Columbia, South Carolina. This event is not just a simple stroll; it’s a powerful movement aiming to spread tranquility and hope within the community,” said one user in the caption of her TikTok.
While traveling, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a proclamation that Jan. 10 would be the state’s “Walk for Peace Day.”
McMaster posted a photo of the legislation on social media platform X.
I was happy to proclaim yesterday as Walk for Peace Day in South Carolina as we welcomed the Buddhist monks to the Statehouse. Best of luck on your journey! https://t.co/OXPuSmRs4qpic.twitter.com/PKm3eQgziS
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) January 11, 2026
South Carolina residents posted videos of the monks leaving the State House.
@narcolepticgal78#fyp#walkforpeace#foryou♬ Come Over (Again) – Crawlers
Skeptics, however, are questioning whether the monks’ Walk for Peace is truly a spiritual act.
As USA Today reports, the monks come from the future site of one of the most ambitious Buddhist temple projects in the United States, the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
As part of the walk, the temple is attempting to raise $200 million to develop a center that will span 14 acres and feature 840 Buddhist monuments.
Others are fiercely defending them, saying the publicity is not the monks’ fault.
“So people are upset that the ‘Walk For Peace’ is getting so much attention. Saying that it’s being commercialized and arguing that the sincerity of the walk has been compromised,” said a user on Instagram.
“People are grasping for hope in this season. We need something to believe in, something to offer inspiration, something to soothe the anxiety and fear connected to our current reality.”
While passing through Georgia, the monks were met by Christian protesters telling the monks to “turn to Christ,” as reported by Black Enterprise.
In November, a monk was hit by a truck near Houston. As a result of his injuries, one of his legs had be amputated. After surgery he reunited with fellow monks in Georgia as they continued their “Walk for Peace,” on Jan. 5, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Despite backlash and injury, the monks continue toward Washington, D.C.