WASHINGTON — A group of Buddhist monks carrying a message of peace entered the heart of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday after a 15-week journey from Texas, where they were welcomed by a large, joyful crowd.

The monks, dressed in saffron and maroon robes, have become a staple on social media as they travel around the southeastern United States with their rescue dog Aloka.

Their simple mission to advocate for peace seems to resonate across the beleaguered country and is particularly welcome in cities at the center of political strife and power.

Thousands of people gathered on the icy sidewalks to watch the monks’ silent procession, which began in late October.

In the afternoon, the monks stopped by the Washington National Cathedral, where they were joined by more than 100 other monks and nuns.

“It’s overwhelming for us,” Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s charismatic, soft-spoken leader, said on the steps of the cathedral.

Surrounded by dozens of faith leaders from across traditions, including Washington Episcopal Bishop Marian Budde, who helped organize the interfaith gathering, Pannakara was visibly moved by their shared cause of peace.

“This is a moment I will never forget,” he said. “And I hope you do the same.”

Respectful silence greets the monks

The people cheered as the monks walked single file through the city streets. Some people silenced the crowd, urging silence and reverence. However, the monks acknowledged the people’s enthusiasm with subtle nods and smiled at people who called out “Sadhu!” — An expression that means “well done” in Buddhism.

Nearly 3,500 people packed American University’s Bender Arena for the monks’ first public appearance in Washington. But no loud sporting cheer greeted them. Spectators remained silent as they entered the stadium as a sign of respect for the monks and their quest for peace.

This trek was not without its dangers. In November, the monks were walking on the side of a highway outside Houston when their convoy was struck by a truck. Two monks were injured. Venerable Maha Dham Ponmasan’s leg was amputated.

Pomasan, the abbot of a temple in Snellville, Georgia, joined the monks near Washington and entered American University’s arena in a wheelchair.

The monks gained followers along the way.

For Jackson Vaughan, 33, who has been using a wheelchair since 2024, Pomasan’s return was emotional. He has been traveling with the monks for a week since they passed through his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

“There’s so much going on in the world,” said Vaughn, who was among the crowd at the university’s entrance. “I think it’s great to see people coming together peacefully and setting an example.”

He was grateful to fellow travelers who helped him navigate the icy roads.

“I have been on a journey to find independence,” Vaughn said. “But this shows that we are truly connected.”

The monks are surprised that their message transcends ideology. Millions of people followed them online, and crowds greeted them at numerous venues, from a church in Opelika, Alabama, to city hall in Richmond, Virginia.

Christine Williams, 42, brought her two children, ages 8 and 10, to watch the procession outside the cathedral.

“I wanted them to not only witness history, but the power of coming together,” she said. “The movement they’ve been building over the past few months has been really powerful to watch grow.”

More than 20,000 people tuned in to watch Tuesday’s live feed, logging in from locations ranging from Jamaica and Germany to Sri Lanka and Thailand. Even though critical opinions occasionally surfaced in the comment section, viewers seemed to be listening to the monk’s message and praying for his peace.

Trekking is a “spiritual offering”

On October 26, 2025, 19 monks began a 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) journey from the Phuong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth. They came from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the world, led by Pannakara, vice-abbot of the Fort Worth Temple.

Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the temple, said the walk was not a political campaign, nor was it aimed at advocacy or legislation.

“This is a spiritual offering, an invitation to daily action, a compassionate walk, and an open heart and a peaceful life,” he said. “We believe that when peace is cultivated within, it naturally spills over outside society.”

Peace walks are an important tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Some monks walked barefoot or in socks during their journeys in order to feel the ground directly and be present in the present moment.

The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by Buddha that focuses on breathing and the mind-body connection. Mr. Pannakara’s peace talks, held at stops along the way, encouraged the audience to put down their phones and find peace within themselves.

On Tuesday, the monks completed 108 days of walking. This is a sacred number in Buddhism, representing spiritual perfection, cosmic order, and completeness of existence.

On Wednesday, the monks will walk through the Capitol and hold closing ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial.

Their return trip shouldn’t be too difficult. After speaking at the Maryland State Capitol, he will take a bus back to Texas, arriving in downtown Fort Worth early Saturday morning.

From there, the monks walk together again, walking 6 miles (9.6 km) to the temple where their journey began.