Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor
Thousands of people visited downtown Richmond on Monday to catch a glimpse of the Buddhist Monk “Walk for Peace,” a group of 17 venerable monks — and one dog — from Fort Worth, Texas making their way to Washington, D.C.
The Monks’ visit to Richmond marked the 100th day of their 2,000-plus mile journey. They are set to arrive at the United States Capitol on Feb. 10-11.
The monks walked from Richmond Fire Station 17 and across the bridge to City Hall, where they were met by Mayor Danny Avula and Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
“This pilgrimage comes at a critical time when communities across our nation face rising mental health challenges, divisions and global uncertainty — serving as a reminder that peace is not merely a destination, but a practice that begins within and radiates outward to families, to communities and to our nation,” Avula said.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger officially proclaimed Feb. 2, 2026 as “Walk for Peace Day” in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was her first proclamation as governor.
“The venerable monks who have been walking for 100 days to make clear to the people of the United States and the world that when you believe in something, you bring people together for a common cause,” Spanberger said.
While eventually arriving in Washington will be the end of the monks’ physical journey, it will not be their final destination, said venerable monk leader Bhikkhu Paññākāra. Their final destination is world peace.
Paññākāra’s speech emphasized the importance of practicing mindfulness every day. He encouraged people to slow down, turn off their phones and focus on one thing at a time.
“When we are overwhelmed with thoughts, that is when we cry,” Paññākāra said. “When we feel stressful, then that is when we don’t want to do anything else.”
Within the last century, there have been only select moments when Buddhist monks have gathered for a meditation walk, according to Jennifer Garvin-Sanchez, an adjunct world studies instructor specializing in union theological seminary at VCU.
“Monks have walked for peace, have walked for harmony and for healing of war, you know, like monks walked after the killing fields in Cambodia. Tik Na Khan walked after the war in Vietnam, so it’s been sort of a mindful practice that calls attention to not only the healing of the self through mindful meditation, but the healing of the world as well.” Garvin-Sanchez said.
The Richmond Police Department estimated the streets were filled with about 10,000 people, according to City Hall spokesperson Michael Hinkle.
Most spectators seemed to be from Richong, but some traveled far just to witness what they called a “once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity.”
Two of those travelers were sisters — Adrianne and Maria Martino. Adrianne is from Florida and Maria is from Kansas. They had both been following the monks online, and decided to come together to see them and Aloka, “The Peace Dog.”
Summing up the message being shared by the monks, Adrianne said it is that if every person has peace within themselves, then the whole world would have peace. The cultural moment was the first time she truly understood religion.
“I was raised catholic, but sitting in church is like all I could do was say ‘when will this end?’ but I can just listen to him [the venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra] for an hour and it’s like only a minute has gone by. I had the realization yesterday, I understand now why people are religious,” Adrianne said.
The sisters shared the same hope: the walk can help bring peace to young people so they will be left with a world “less crazy.”
“I have a son, 35, and I’m like, ‘man, what is gonna happen to you?’” Maria said. “How do you get community when everybody’s at loggerheads with each other? I don’t know, so we’re just two sisters for peace.”
Adrianne and Maria could not equate anything they had seen in their time to the event.