At a Glance
- Buddhist monks trekking 2,300 miles across the U.S. for peace
- Two monks injured when a truck hit their escort vehicle outside Houston
- The walk continues through Georgia toward Washington, D.C.
- Why it matters: The trek highlights Buddhism’s long tradition of peace activism and the monks’ resilience amid danger
A group of Buddhist monks is continuing a 2,300-mile walk from Texas to Washington, D.C., promoting peace even after two members were injured in a truck collision outside Houston. The trek, which began on Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, has already crossed ten states and attracted a large social-media following. Their faithful dog Aloka has become a symbol of the journey.
The Trek
The monks began their journey on Oct. 26 in Fort Worth and have reached Georgia, planning to head toward Washington, D.C. They will pass through or near Athens, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Richmond before arriving at the capital. Their Facebook page, with over 400,000 followers, is updated daily with progress reports, inspirational notes, and poetry.
- Georgia
- North Carolina (Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh)
- Virginia (Richmond)
- Washington, D.C.
Accident Details
Outside Houston near Dayton, the escort vehicle was hit by a truck. Police chief Shane Burleigh explained the truck failed to notice the slow vehicle, tried to evade but struck the rear left, pushing the escort into two monks. One monk had “substantial leg injuries” and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Houston.
Police Chief Shane Burleigh stated:
> “One of the monks had ‘substantial leg injuries’ and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Houston.”
The other monk with less serious injuries was taken by ambulance to another hospital in suburban Houston. The monk who sustained the serious leg injuries was expected to have a series of surgeries to heal a broken bone, but his prognosis for recovery was good, a spokeswoman for the group said.
Spokeswoman for the group stated:
> “The monk who sustained the serious leg injuries was expected to have a series of surgeries to heal a broken bone, but his prognosis for recovery was good.”
Group’s Facebook post said:
> “We do not walk alone. We walk together with every person whose heart has opened to peace, whose spirit has chosen kindness, whose daily life has become a garden where understanding grows.”
Key Takeaways
- The monks’ 2,300-mile walk began on Oct. 26 and has covered ten states.
- Two monks were injured in a truck collision outside Houston; one required surgery.
- The journey continues toward Washington, D.C., fueled by a strong social-media following.
The monks press on, turning a dangerous incident into a testament to their commitment to peace.
