A group of Buddhist monks, accompanied by their loyal dog Aloka, is persisting in a cross-country walk for peace despite a serious car accident last month. The group of about two dozen monks began their journey in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26 and has now reached Georgia, en route to Washington, D.C.
The walk highlights Buddhism's tradition of activism for peace. On Tuesday, the monks planned to walk from Morrow to Decatur, Georgia, marking day 66 of their trek, and invited the public to a Peace Gathering in Decatur. Their route will take them through 10 states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and finally to the nation's capital.
The group has gained a large following on social media, with over 400,000 Facebook followers. Aloka has its own hashtag, #AlokathePeaceDog, and the group's Facebook page shares progress reports, inspirational notes, and poetry. One recent post read: 'We do not walk alone. We walk together with every person whose heart has opened to peace.'
The journey faced a setback last month outside Houston, Texas, when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck near Dayton. The truck, which failed to notice the slow-moving vehicle, struck the escort from behind, pushing it into two monks. One monk suffered substantial leg injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Houston, while the other was treated for less serious injuries. The group's spokeswoman said the seriously injured monk was expected to undergo several surgeries but had a good prognosis for recovery.
Buddhism, which originated from the teachings of Gautama Buddha in ancient India, emphasises non-violence, meditation, and compassion. The walk continues this tradition of peace activism, inspired by figures like the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh.
