Washington
Monks bring peace message to Washington DC, return to Texas begins
Buddhist monks closing out Walk for Peace
The Walk for Peace is coming to an end and the Buddhist monks will be returning to Texas this weekend and then headed to their homes. Many people are grateful for their journey over the last few months and message of peace.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 109 days and roughly 2,300 miles on foot, nearly 20 Buddhist monks brought their “Walk for Peace” to a powerful pause this week on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
What we know:
Clad in saffron robes, the monks made their way down the National Mall on Wednesday, greeted by hundreds of supporters holding flowers and handmade signs with messages of mindfulness and nonviolence.
The walk began Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas, and carried the group through nine states — including a stretch through Georgia, where supporters gathered along metro Atlanta roadways throughout the state to cheer them on during bitter winter weather.
Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, who led the pilgrimage, spoke to the crowd gathered at the memorial.
“Ladies and gentlemen, life moves very fast,” Pannakara said. “Sometimes, just a few seconds are enough for us to hurt someone, to say words we regret or to create more pain in a world that is already exhausted.”
“But those same few seconds, if we live them well, can become the beginning of peace,” he continued. “Today, I do not ask you to think about big ideas. I simply invite you to live five seconds of your life with mindfulness.”
The monks, several of whom walked barefoot, crossed Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia before reaching the nation’s capital. Along the way, they endured a collision that resulted in the serious injury of one monk, a handful of protesters, and harsh winter weather, including brutal winds, freezing rain and even several inches of snow.
Snellville monk rejoins Walk for Peace monks near Washington DC
Millions of supporters followed the journey online, where live updates drew a worldwide audience. Thousands of others often traveled for hours to see the monks in person along their route.
Dr. Neeraj Bajracharya, the group’s government liaison and press coordinator, reminded the crowd that the journey does not truly end in Washington.
“The walk for peace is going to continue,” Bajracharya said. “Washington, D.C., is not the final stop because the walk towards peace must continue.”
On Thursday, the monks plan to enter Maryland — their ninth state — for a final day together before boarding a bus back to Texas. They will spend the night in Wytheville, Virginia. Although they will not greet visitors before retiring for the night, they will host a peace gathering before their departure at 7 a.m. Feb. 13.
Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace ends in Maryland
OTHER RELATED STORIES
They are expected to arrive in Fort Worth on Saturday, Day 112, and complete the final six miles to the spot where the walk began. The walk is currently scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Lunch and visitation will take place between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center, where it all began. A peace gathering for final reflections on the current journey will take place between 1 and 3 p.m.
Photos of monks and rescue dog as they finish cross-country peace walk in Washington, DC
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.
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.
Crews are on the scene of a serious crash on I-95 South in Stafford, Virginia.
Virginia State Police confirmed the crash was fatal but has not yet confirmed how many fatalities there were.
All southbound lanes are closed at mile marker 146.
Traffic is being diverted to Route 1 at exit 148.
This is a developing story. Stay with News4 and nbcwashington.com for updates.
Washington
Sounders FC, Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer launch Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass to celebrate the next generation of soccer across the Evergreen State | Seattle Sounders
RENTON, WASH. – Sounders FC, in partnership with Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer, today announced the launch of the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes across the Evergreen State. As the sport reaches a defining moment across North America, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass invites every registered Washington Youth Soccer athlete aged 18 and under to receive a complimentary ticket to select home matches this season, connecting young players and their families across Washington to the heart of Sounders FC matchdays and Pacific Northwest soccer culture.
More than a ticket initiative, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is rooted in a shared belief that soccer belongs to everyone who plays it. With over 90,000 registered Washington Youth Soccer athletes eligible for the program – which includes access to additional discounted tickets for friends and family members – the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass celebrates those that continue to shape the sport’s strong foundation across the state. Coming at a significant moment for soccer in the region, with Seattle hosting six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, Sounders FC and its partners are joining together to invest in the players, families, clubs and communities that fuel the game year-round.
“The Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is about recognizing that every young player across Washington is already part of the story of this club,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Hugh Weber. “The Sounders are not just Seattle’s club – it’s Washington’s soccer club. Many of the players who wear our crest today, including Jordan Morris, Paul Rothrock and Jackson Ragen, grew up playing in Washington Youth Soccer. Their journeys are proof that the connection between local soccer communities and Sounders FC is real, lasting and deeply rooted.”
The program is available for the Rave Green’s final 12 MLS regular-season and Leagues Cup home matches of the 2026 campaign, beginning with Seattle’s first contest after the 2026 FIFA World Cup break against archrival Portland Timbers on Thursday, July 16 (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FS1, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM). Eligible Washington Youth Soccer athletes can access the offer through a **dedicated online portal** using their WYS Player ID.
With Seattle as its hometown, Starbucks is deeply rooted in communities across Washington and beyond. Starbucks serves as the initiative’s founding partner to make professional soccer more accessible for families throughout the season. A longtime Sounders FC partner, Starbucks joins the club in its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth athletes and their families across Washington, reinforcing shared values of community, connection and access to the game.
“We are proud to partner with Sounders FC and Washington Youth Soccer to expand our support for youth soccer across our hometown of Seattle and communities across Washington,” said Starbucks Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Erin Silvoy. “At Starbucks, we believe sports are a powerful force for connection, that brings people together through shared rituals and moments of joy. By helping more youth experience soccer first-hand, we hope to inspire the next generation while supporting the athletes, coaches and families who make our communities stronger.”
Founded in 1961, Washington Youth Soccer is one of the region’s leading youth sports organizations, helping shape generations of players and families through recreational and competitive opportunities across the state for more than 60 years. Affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Soccer and FIFA, Washington Youth Soccer works alongside nearly 200 member clubs and local associations to help grow and strengthen the game at every level, creating accessible pathways and enriching experiences for youth athletes and their families throughout Washington.
”We see this partnership as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of youth soccer players,” said Washington Youth Soccer Executive Director Roger Levesque. “There is something unique about attending a Sounders match at Lumen Field – the sights, sounds and world-class soccer all contribute to a goose bump-inducing experience. But the true inspiration comes from living the highs and lows of a match together, alongside family, friends and thousands of fans, who for 90 minutes, are all on the same team. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Sounders FC and Starbucks to bring this experience and the joy of soccer to the Washington Youth Soccer community.”
MLS is currently amid an extended break from play for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with Seattle returning to action on Thursday, July 16 against the Portland Timbers on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Born in 1974 and a member of Major League Soccer since 2009, Seattle Sounders FC is one of North America’s leading professional soccer organizations. The club has captured nine major trophies since its inaugural MLS season, and following its Leagues Cup victory in 2025, Seattle became the first team in U.S. soccer history to win every major competition (Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup). Since the club’s MLS debut, Sounders fans have set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight-consecutive seasons (2009-2016), routinely ranking in the global top 30 among all professional clubs and never finishing outside of MLS’ top three.
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to responsibly sourcing and roasting hi-quality arabica coffee. Today, with a global footprint of more than 41,000 company-operated and licensed coffeehouses and a growing presence in consumer-packaged goods, we are the world’s premier purveyor of specialty coffee. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.
ABOUT WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) is the largest youth sports organization in Washington State, serving more than 90,000 players through a network of over 200 member associations and clubs statewide. WYS is committed to fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth of youth through the game of soccer by creating opportunities for players of all backgrounds and ability levels to learn, compete, and thrive. Through leagues, tournaments, player development programs, coaching education, community partnerships, and initiatives supported by the Washington Youth Soccer Foundation, WYS works to grow the game and create meaningful experiences for young athletes across Washington.
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