15-week 'Walk for Peace' ends as monks arrive in Washington

A group of Buddhist monks reached Washington, DC, on foot on Tuesday, walking single file across a bridge over the Potomac River to cap a 15-week trek from Texas that has captivated the country.

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The monks in their saffron robes have become fixtures on social media, along with their rescue dog Aloka.

After spending Monday night at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, they crossed over the Chain Bridge into the District of Columbia shortly after 8 am.

They walk to advocate for peace. That simple message has resonated across the US as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions. Thousands gathered along Southern roadsides - often in unusually chilly weather-to watch the monks’ quiet procession that began in late October.

Large crowds were expected to greet them during their two-day stay in Washington. The Metropolitan Police Department issued a traffic advisory announcing there would be “rolling road closures” along the monks’ route to ensure safety for them and spectators.

“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practising mindfulness and find peace,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group's soft-spoken leader who has taught about mindfulness at stops along the way.