Buddhist monks will complete over 2,000 miles of their Walk for Peace in Fort Worth on February 14. (William Howard/Shutterstock).
Buddhist monks will complete their 2,000+ mile walk for peace in Fort Worth on February 14. Here’s what you need to know.
On October 26, 2025, a group of Buddhist monks departed Fort Worth’s Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center to embark on a 2,300 mile Walk for Peace—part of the Buddhist faith revolves around monks embarking on lengthy walking pilgrimages, some of which go on for months at a time. The group has been gaining support (and popularity) on social media throughout their journey, with over two million people following along on Facebook and over one million tuning in on TikTok. The monks will complete their trek to Washington DC on February 10 and 11. From there, they’ll take a bus back to Fort Worth, where they’re expected to arrive on February 14 at 8 a.m., according to a recent social media update.
After they get off the bus, the group, along with their trusted companion, Aloka, are then expected to walk the remaining six miles back to Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center to complete the full cycle of their journey. A celebration is scheduled for that day, though exact details, including time, have not been shared as of writing. The Walk for Peace, according to Tue Nhan Bhikkhu, commonly known as Rev. Nguyen, has been “a journey to bring blessings to countless lives in a world filled with uncertainty and restlessness.” Thousands of people across the US have been turning out in droves to take part in witnessing these blessings, which speaks to the inclusion of the event regardless of whether individuals follow the Buddhist religion themselves.
Monks have been presenting some people with blessing cords, and they’ve received an assortment of fruit, flowers, and gifts from the public in return. The Raleigh Police Department even presented the monks with pins after helping to ensure the group’s safety as they traveled through the city. Watching the progression of the Walk for Peace has provided many with a reassuring feeling of joy and community amid a time of increasing hostility across the US.
The Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center is set to undergo an expansion project
The Buddhist monks and Aloka’s safe return home will be especially impactful for Fort Worth, as the Bhavana Center has been a staple in the Vietnamese-American community for over 25 years. A $200 million expansion, titled the Dhammacetiya Project, was kicked off during a May 2025 celebration at the temple. The project will likely take 15 years to complete, but will encompass an extra 14 acres set to house 840 Buddhist stupas (shrines).
Speaking about the Dhammacetiya expansion efforts, Rev. Nguyen said, “We’re working hard to promote it, and, hopefully, more people will hear about it and join hands to support this project.” To follow along with the Bhavana Center and its expansion progress, please click here.
