by Don Mooney 1-27-26
After rest stop in Salisbury, NC Buddhist Monks continue their Walk For Peace from Ft. Worth, TX culminating at the nations capitol sometime in February. photo by Don Mooney
Charlotte, NC—It seems like 10-years already! In reality a dark cloud has hung over the United States for the last year. Exporting an unwanted atmospheric strain to peace in various continents across the globe. Fueling a world addicted to outrage and sarcasm tearing down people. Recognizing goodness feels rebelliously refreshing. This weekend I attached to a wake turbulence of freshness that travelled through western mountainous region of North Carolina delivering a much needed humanitarian vaccine into the vein of our politically and racial-charged climate en route to the nations capitol to promote peace. What follows is my three-day embedment along side members from Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Ft. Worth whom are humbly raising awareness to peace, passion and nonviolence with their selfless Walk For Peace (WFP).
The Monks leaving Sugaw Creek Recreation Center in Charlotte, NC after lunch en route to their overnight destination at ZMax Dragway in Concord, NC. photo by Don Mooney
A group of nearly two dozen Theravada Buddhist monks began this 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” on October 26, 2025, departing from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the monks are marching to Washington, D.C., to promote compassion, healing, and unity, with a scheduled arrival in mid-February 2026.
Monks march on across North Carolina promoting peace in a land in need. photo by Don Mooney
As fate would have it the weekend perfectly collided with the national celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King. King, championed for civil rights in America with marches of protest to bring awareness that eventually benefitted many segments of society that was meant for Blacks. A method that is copied and reengineered today, in this country, and around the world. Purely incidental but attached to the WFP are threads that weave back to Ft. Worth. In 2021, Juneteenth became America’s recent federal holiday celebrated every June 19. This was thanks, in large part, to the work of Opal Lee, a retired schoolteacher who in 2016 symbolically walked from Fort Worth to Washington to raise awareness about the need to commemorate the last day enslaved people in the country learned that they were free.
Dr. King photographed here during a visit to Charlotte, NC in the late 50s. A sculpture of Dr. King along l MLK Blvd in downtown. photo by Don Mooney
The Grandmother of Juneteenth Ms. Opal Lee’s efforts led to a national holiday. photo by Don Mooney
Ms Opal Lee, known by many as “the grandmother of Juneteenth,” advocated for a federal holiday to commemorate the day, hoping to unite Americans of all backgrounds in celebrating the fundamental principle of freedom. Her grassroots movement started in September 2016 with about 8,000 signatures in Fort Worth. By the time she delivered the petition to Congress in January 2017, she had 1.5 million.
Ft. Worth Atty Leon Reed Jr’s historic walk for police reform to the Texas state capitol. photo by Don Mooney
A walk for police reform during COVID-19 in August of 2020 Leon Reed, Jr., Marine veteran and Ft. Worth attorney trekked through Texas roads and sidewalks to hand-deliver to Gov. Greg Abbott a letter with recommendations for police reform. Reed’s walk covered 200 miles traveling around 30 miles per day and making stops in various cities to talk with police chiefs, advocates, and members of the community to discuss police reform.
Monks depart Zmax Speedway in Concord, NC en route for lunch break at church in Mt. Olive, NC. photo by Don Mooney
IMPACT
Monks were cordially and graciously engaging by both young and faithful during segments of their journey. photo by Don Mooney
Though I only spent three days observing this rare moment in time there were take aways that didn’t expect. Rural streets normally half-empty during lunch time were lined as if to see a mid-day lunar eclipse. Schools dismissed early to get a glimpse of historical human-like comets that they could not just view – but reach out and touch. Many of the modern stereotypes that have dotted our political landscape, particularly in the American south, brirfley faded in the presence of the venerable Monks. The red state stigma, for however brief, melt away in the presence of the Buddhist entourage. The emotional impact I witnessed matched the same emotion of rare papal encounters. They were like rock stars of peace.
Roadside greeters came early to stand along roadsides here in Salisbury, NC. Many bearing gifts and signs with welcoming messages. photo by Don Mooney
Rural America lined with young, old, varied ethnic hues, both foreign and local. It seemed the young and disabled received the Monks prayerful attention during their trek. Almost a guarantee to pause the procession for a moment of personal exchange of flowers and bracelets followed by Buddhist blessing for those that appeared disabled and struggling.
A scene played out over and over along roadsides in Western North Carolina. photo by Don Mooney
Tears flooded down weather-worn faces during personal encounters. Children respond as if they met their fantasy avatar. Monks were attentive to those who needed special assistance attend roadside events. The procession would reverently come to a halt as the monks offered prayer and blessings.
photo by Don Mooney
Joan Blackwell, an all-star contributor on the WFP media page explains her feelings as a Christian that practices Buddhism. “One of my favorite quotes from meeting Bhikkhu Pannakara, the lead monk of Walk for Peace, is, “Only you can mess up your day.” The group is not out to challenge and change peoples faith according to Blackwell whom practices both Christianity and Buddhism, “a simple way to explain it is that it’s not a religion, but rather a philosophy or a chosen way of life. Depending on the context, I might mention that being both Christian and Buddhist can complement each other beautifully. I’ve heard it said that praying is talking to God, while meditating is listening to God, and I see no conflict in that.”
NAMASTE!