Step by step, a group of Buddhist monks made their way through the Town of Lexington on Friday, Jan. 9, marking another day in a 120-day, 2,300-mile Walk for Peace across multiple states.

The journey began Oct. 26 with a kickoff ceremony at Hu’o’ng Dao Vispassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Two dozen Buddhist monks, accompanied by their dog, Aloka, set out “to raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world,” a Facebook post read.

Buddhist monks practice and share the teachings of Buddha through meditation, service and other disciplines. As part of that tradition, they often participate in walking pilgrimages and spiritual journeys that can last for months. 

During the walk, the monks observe a strict ascetic code that includes eating one meal per day and sleeping outdoors, often beneath trees.

Their route, which brought them through Lexington County, spans 10 U.S. states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. The walk will conclude in Washington, D.C. They are expected to arrive there on Feb. 13.

“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within us,” Bhikku Pannakara, spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace, said. “The Walk of Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.” 

On the evening hours of Jan. 8, the group arrived at its overnight rest stop at Nazareth Methodist Church in Leesville. At each rest stop, visitors can attend peace-sharing talks, chanting, meditation and blessing-cord ceremonies.

The monks also encourage the public to join them at the lunch stops and overnight rest areas during designated visitation hours.

On Jan. 9, the monks stopped at Thein Tu Hue Dang, located at 1124 Spring Hill Rd. in Gilbert, and spent the night at Tom’s Den, where hundreds of people stood to listen to them speak.

As they entered Lexington County, community members stood waiting to greet them with flowers, signs and more. Some greeted the monks with clasped hands and slight bows as they passed.

Aloka, who was scheduled for a rest day, according to a Facebook post that Friday, was seen trotting in the front, leading the pack, occasionally stopping to smell the grass. 

Aloka has also drawn a lot of attention during the journey, receiving medical care and examinations from veterinarians along the way, including two veterinarians at Lake Murray Animal Hospital. 

On Monday, Jan. 12, Aloka underwent surgery for an injury to one of his legs.

“The veterinary team has advised us that following the surgery, Aloka will begin a careful and gradual recovery process,” a Facebook from Walk for Peace reads. “He will be able to walk for up to 10 minutes at a time, a maximum of 6 times per day for the first week. After each week, we will be able to gradually increase his walking time as his healing progresses.”

The Walk for Peace map is available on the Dhammacetiya website, which is updated a few times a day. Their Facebook page also gives updates and itineraries. 

“We have seen so much love from everyone–love for the venerable monks, for Aloka, and for the Walk for Peace itself,” a post from them reads. “Your kindness touches us deeply. Your presence by the roadside, your comments online, your prayers and well-wishes from near and far–all of it fills our hearts with profound gratitude. We do not walk alone. We walk surrounded by your love, carried forward by your support, encouraged by your belief in what peace can become when we nurture it together.”