ATLANTA (AP) — A group of Buddhist monks is persevering in their walking trek across much of the U.S. to promote peace, even after two of its members were injured when a truck hit their escort vehicle.
After starting their walk in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26, the group has made it to Georgia, highlighting Buddhism’s long tradition of activism for peace.
The group planned to walk its latest segment through Georgia on Tuesday from Morrow to Decatur, on Atlanta's eastern edge, as they marked day 66 of their walk. They invited the public to a Peace Gathering in Decatur Tuesday afternoon.
The monks, along with their loyal dog Aloka, plan to cover ten states en route to the nation’s capital, with stops expected in places like Athens, Georgia; Charlotte and Raleigh in North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.
Their journey has gained significant traction online, amassing over 400,000 followers on social media. Aloka, the dog named after a Sanskrit word meaning enlightenment, even has a dedicated hashtag, #AlokathePeaceDog.
The monks' progress reports, inspirational messages, and poetry are regularly shared on their Facebook page.
Despite a serious accident in Texas last month, where their escort vehicle was struck while its hazard lights were on, the group remains determined. One monk suffered substantial leg injuries and was flown to a Houston hospital. He's expected to undergo multiple surgeries but is expected to recover well.
“We do not walk alone. We walk together with everyone whose heart has opened to peace, whose spirit has chosen kindness,” they proclaimed recently. The journey continues as they aim to spread messages of non-violence and compassion.
