Monk ‘Walk for Peace’ to pass through Richmond in February

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer

The Buddhist Monk “Walk for Peace” — which has captivated the American South as it passes through 10 states on its way from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington , D.C. — is set to reach Richmond sometime in February. 

The estimated 2,300 mile, 120-day-long walk began in October 2025 and is led by 24 monks from Fort Worth, home to where the large Dhammacetiya complex is being built to honor the teachings of Buddha Gotama and His Holy Disciples, according to their website. 

Upon arriving in Washington, the group will ask Congress to recognize Vesak, the day of Buddha’s birth, as a federal holiday. The act is meant to generally promote peace, love, kindness and compassion in America. 

The peace walk has made national headlines, particularly over the group’s new recruit; a once-stray dog they named “Aloka,” meaning “light” in Sanskrit.

The peace walk will pass Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina before reaching Petersburg and then Richmond sometime in early-mid February.

Jennifer Garvin-Sanchez, an adjunct world studies instructor specializing in union theological seminary, said the walk is a tradition monks have been carrying out for centuries — along with people of different religions and faiths.

“Mindful meditation is seen as cross-cultural. There is a walking and sitting meditation. Walking meditation really sort of guides you in a way by itself. Each step in a walking meditation is supposed to be mindful,” Garvin-Sanchez said. “The second aspect is [engagement]. Buddhist monks have walked for peace, harmony and for healing of war.” 

Peace coming from within and the changing of oneself through meditation are some of Buddhism’s core values, which will be observable at the walk, according to Garvin-Sanchez. 

“The core value of Buddhism is to do no harm, change your practices and your mindset to practice peace and harmony,” Garvin-Sanchez stated. 

Students and Richmonders looking to view the peace walk as it passes should respect its silent nature, Garvin-Sanchez stated.

“A more respectful approach for students would be to bow with your palms together to them, which represents ‘the light in me response to the light in you’ to them, and not rush up to them or give them a high five or hug as they walk,” Garvin-Sanchez stated. “They are on a mindful, silent meditation.”

While the monks are happy to engage with the crowd, take photos and accept small gifts such as flowers, onlookers are requested to not touch them, be respectful and bow down slightly when meeting them. Spectators should refrain from photographing the monks while they eat, as they perform certain chants or prayers at the beginning of each meal. 

First-year mass communications graduate student Risham Qureshi said the monks coming to Richmond feels timely, allowing for much-needed peace and harmony amid the times we live in. 

“Seeing something so quiet and intentional show up in the middle of all this noise feels grounding, almost like a reminder to slow down and breathe,” Qureshi said.

Despite her skepticism on the impact of the walk itself she believes that it is a welcome change. 

“Even if it doesn’t fix anything, it interrupts the chaos for a moment. And right now, even a small pause, something gentle instead of aggressive, feels kind of rare and necessary,” Qureshi said.

A live map showing the monks’ trail is viewable on their website dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/live-map/. You can also follow them on their Facebook page.