ATLANTA – After 108 days on the road, a group of Buddhist monks in saffron robes is set to step into Washington, D.C., on foot Tuesday, finishing a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace that began in Fort Worth, Texas, and drew crowds across the South and up the East Coast.

What we know:

Nineteen monks started the journey Oct. 26, 2025, from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, traveling through multiple states — including Georgia — as their quiet, single-file procession became a familiar sight along highways and in town centers. Millions followed along online, often alongside the group’s rescue dog, Aloka. 

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The final days in the capital include outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday. An interfaith reception is planned at the cathedral, where Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde is helping host the monks. The Metropolitan Police Department said the monks are expected to enter the District via Chain Bridge around 8 a.m. Tuesday, with rolling road closures across Northwest Washington as they move toward the cathedral.

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Along the way, the trek has not been without danger. In November outside Houston, an escort vehicle was hit by a truck, injuring two monks.

The collision resulted in the amputation of Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan’s leg, which prompted his return to his home in Snellville, Georgia. However, the monk rejoined his brothers and Aloka at their rest stop on Monday night and for the final leg of the journey to the nation’s capitol. 

In recent days, the monks have dealt with bitter cold and brutal wind and have been met with a handful of protesters along with way.

Throughout the journey, the group of monks and their leader remained calm and steadfast, praying over and blessing many of those who came to see them along the route and reminding everyone in attendance during their daily visititations to make each and every day their “peaceful day.”

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While in Washington, the monks plan to submit a request asking lawmakers to declare Vesak — Buddha’s birthday — a national holiday, though leaders say the walk is not a political campaign.

The schedule continues Wednesday with rolling closures as the group moves toward the National Mall, with stops expected at the Peace Monument on Capitol Hill and St. Mark’s Capitol Hill Church before a final march to the Lincoln Memorial. 

After appearances in the region, the return trip is expected to be easier: The monks plan to appear at Maryland’s Capitol, then take a bus back to Texas, arriving in downtown Fort Worth early Saturday. From there, they plan one more short walk — about 6 miles — back to the temple where the pilgrimage began.

How to follow the monks

For those who are unable to attend any gatherings in person, the monks are very active on social media, livestreaming and posting multiple times per day.

Their dog, Aloka, who is also making the journey with the monks also has his own social media accounts.

A planned data center in Washington Township, Michigan, is still in limbo.

Earlier this month, the township board of trustees asked the planning commission to review a zoning ordinance that would relate to data centers.

More than a dozen passionate Washington Township residents stood on a bridge near 26 Mile Road to raise awareness about a proposed data center on Sunday.

“We’re very concerned about the environmental impacts the large amount of water that it uses, the air pollution that often comes from them, as well as the high amount of electricity that it uses,” Corinne Graper, Stop the Washington Township Data Center group member, said.

Although site plans have yet to be submitted, the initial proposal heard in December was for a hyperscale data center on more than 300 acres of land near 32 Mile Road between Michigan Highway 53 and Powell Road.

“We are hoping that they will put noise and lighting regulations in place, that they will put regulations around energy use and water, as well as ensuring that this massive development can’t be built and then not complete it,” Graper said.

For some people, the conflict is personal.

“I’m actually going to be living a half a mile away from the proposed data center,” Chris Djuric, a Washington Township resident, said. 

Djuric is ready to move into the home he’s been building for his family for the last five years in the spring.

“As soon as we move in, if they approve it, I’m going to be listing my house for sale, because it for me, is not worth the health risk, you know, because I, as a responsible parent, I’m not going to let my children live that close to something with these unknown health risks,” he said.

Djuric won’t without ordinances and regulations in place.

“I’m not opposed to the technology, obviously, but there has to be some type of reasonable restrictions as far as health and safety, you know, for the community,” he said.

The planning commission has a meeting scheduled for March 12. Group members of Stop the Washington Township Data Center say they’ll be there.

The developer, Prologis, is asking the township to rezone the land, making it an Industrial-Research zoning district. 

The proposed data center is scheduled for consideration during an April 9 planning commission meeting.