Walk for Peace passes through Pittsboro, heads toward Apex (NC) and Raleigh tomorrow and Saturday
As the cross-country pilgrimage moves through Chatham and Wake counties, the journey highlights themes of compassion, resilience, and quiet reflection.
Pittsboro, NC, Jan. 22, 2026 — A group of Buddhist monks walking thousands of miles across the United States in the name of peace, compassion, and nonviolence made a stop in Pittsboro today as part of a months-long pilgrimage that will continue through Wake County over the next several days.
The Walk for Peace (website), a 2,300-mile journey that began October 26th in Fort Worth, TX, is scheduled to pass through Apex and Raleigh tomorrow and Saturday as the group continues its slow, deliberate trek toward Washington, D.C., where the walk is expected to conclude in February.
The pilgrimage is led by monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center (info), a Vietnamese Buddhist community based in Fort Worth (TX). Rooted in Buddhist teachings, the walk emphasizes nonviolence, compassion, and mindfulness, with the goal of spreading peace and awareness in the communities the monks pass through.
A personal moment for a local resident
For one South Wake resident, the stop in Pittsboro was deeply moving.
Holly Springs resident Donna Friend traveled to Pittsboro to see the monks, saying she had followed their journey since the beginning and felt compelled to witness it in person.
“I’ve been following their journey from the start and their commitment to peace and unity, and I knew I had to be a part of it,” Friend said. “When we got there, I was surprised by how emotional I felt. But as the monks got closer, that faded away, and I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace and belonging.”
An unexpected setback along the route
While the walk has been marked by reflection and calm, organizers say the journey has not been without hardship.
Last month, while traveling through Dayton, TX, the monks were involved in a traffic collision that hospitalized two members of the group. Organizers later confirmed that one group member underwent surgery to remove his leg as a result of injuries sustained in the incident.
Despite the seriousness of the accident, the Walk for Peace has continued in his spirit, with the remaining monks carrying forward the message of compassion and nonviolence that defines the pilgrimage.
The group’s well-known canine companion, Aloka, has also been temporarily sidelined. The rescue dog, who has become a symbol of the journey and a favorite among followers, recently underwent surgery and is currently recovering. Organizers say Aloka is doing well and is expected to rejoin the walk once healed.
A walking meditation across America
Unlike traditional marches or demonstrations, the Walk for Peace is intentionally quiet and reflective. The monks walk largely in silence, stopping periodically for meals, rest, and brief interactions with community members.
Their route is tracked in near real time through an online map, with daily distances typically ranging from 15 to 20 miles, depending on weather and terrain. (info & links below)
After passing through Pittsboro, the group is expected to continue northeast through Apex and Raleigh over the next two days, where residents may see them walking along local roads or gathering at scheduled rest stops.
Following the journey
The Walk for Peace is documented through social media updates and live tracking tools maintained by organizers. Routes and timing may shift due to weather or safety considerations.
Residents can follow the journey at:
Live Route Map:
https://walkforpeace.short.gy/live-mapFacebook Updates:
https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa/Full Journey Overview:
https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/overview-map/
Organizers note that the best opportunities to see the group are during scheduled lunch stops or evening rest periods, rather than along roadways.
As the monks continue north toward Washington, their passage through central North Carolina serves as a reminder that even in the face of hardship, the quiet work of compassion, resilience, and peace continues one step at a time.