LIVE UPDATES: Follow Walk for Peace monks’ journey through Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A 2,300-mile cross-country walk to promote peace -- one that has taken the internet by storm -- is making its way through Central Virginia.

About two dozen Buddhist monks and their rescue dog, Aloka, embarked on the cross-country trek from Texas to Washington, D.C., last year. The pilgrimage, aimed to promote unity, national healing and compassion, has taken the group through six other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The monks crossed the state border from North Carolina into Virginia on Jan. 29.

"Step by step, we carry the message of peace, mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion forward," organizers wrote in a social post.

Now, the journey has reached Central Virginia.

What to know

The long-distance pilgrimage is a moving meditation initiated in October 2025 by Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Organizers said the trek is to raise awareness of inner peace and mindfulness across America and around the world.

As Central Virginians meet the monks and encounter the walk, here are a few things police said residents should pay attention to:

• Keep the route quiet, peaceful and deeply respectful.
• Do not walk with the monks.
• When greeting the monks, place your hands in prayer and bow.
• Don’t present gifts other than flowers as a sign of respect.
• Don’t touch the monks. No handshakes, hugs or high fives.
• The monks may avert their eyes as a sign of respect.
• Be mindful that some monks take vows that prohibit contact with the opposite gender.

As of the time of reporting, the pilgrimage is set to conclude in Washington, D.C. by Feb. 11. To follow along the monks’ journey, check this map for their live location and this map for the route overview. Visit Walk for Peace for daily updates and more information.

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