Peace Walk ends: Buddhist monks reach DC

Aloka: So we turn around and start to walk back now? There are so many people I want to see.

(DWS News) Full speech: Leader of Buddhist monks and friend of Aloka the Peace Dog's Peace Walk at American University shares life-changing mindfulness teachings | AK1E

• American University, Washington, D.C.
• What is "mindfulness" in Buddhism?
• Who is Aloka the Dog on Peace Walk?

• 

  Mala (prayer rosary): 108 beads (Rosary)

  Q: Why did it take exactly 108 days? A: The number 108 (a full mala or rosary) is considered sacred by the Dharmic religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. According to Sri Lankan Theravada scholar-monk Bhante G (abbot of the Bhāvanā Society in West Virginia), 108 is reached by multiplying the senses of smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight, and consciousness by whether they are painful, pleasant, or neutral, then again by whether they are internally generated or externally occurring, and again by whether they are in the past, present, or future. Finally, we get 108 feelings: (6×3×2×3 = 108). So the number 108 represents all the possible sensory states one could experience. More

TODAY'S LIVESTREAM

Day 108: Peace Walk, Washington Nat'l Cathedral

“Walk for Peace” ends at American U; monks call for unity and compassion

(The National Desk) Buddhist monks end 2,300-mile Walk for Peace in DC

Livestream: Day 108 Peace Walk arrives at Washington National Cathedral

(DWS News) FULL MARCH: Buddhist monks arrive in DC, speeches, 2,300-mile walk with Aloka the Peace Dog, meet students at American University | AC1E

(WUSA9) Buddhist monks draw massive crowds in Alexandria, during cross-country Peace Trek

(FOX 5 Washington DC) Hundreds brave cold to greet Buddhist monks in Alexandria (Virginia)

Before dawn in rural Virginia, Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace draws crowds seeking hope

• Buddhist music: chanting as a spiritual practice
• What are they saying? Pali canon's sutras + blessings

(Reuters) LIVE: Buddhist monks on 2,300-mile peace walk now reach Arlington, Virginia. They arrive and enter to cheers at Minute 47:37

(ABC 7 News - WJLA) Venerable monks touch hearts, Walk for Peace in Virginia, en route to DC

(FOX 5 Washington DC) Buddhist monk reflects on Walk for Peace in sit-down with FOX 5

Venerable Buddhist monks touch hearts during Walk for Peace in Virginia en route to DC

(ABC 7 News - WJLA) Feb. 6, 2026: “If you’re not at peace, where are we?" said Caroline County resident Sue Iszczenko while she and her daughter Kayla waited for the venerable Buddhist monks to walk past them on their route from Texas to Washington, D.C., promoting inner and world peace.

Hi, I'm Aloka the Peace Dog

In a time defined by [Trump] turmoil, with a nation fractured, hundreds came from far and wide, gathering roadside in rural Caroline County to witness 20 Buddhist monks [and a dog named Aloka] journey a portion of 2,300 arduous miles – from Texas to D.C. – advocating for harmony in a world gone haywire. More: wjla.com/news/local/venerable...

So sweet — when Buddhist monks walking for peace make everyone smile

(AmeriScope) Feb. 5, 2026: Some moments don’t need to be explained. We see them — and we smile spontaneously. This video captures one of those moments. It is so sweet in its simplicity that Americans naturally slow down and feel lighter, even if for just a moment.

(True Way of Buddha) Poor woman asked me, "Will I die poor?"

Ven. Abbot Pannakara | Walk for Peace Monks and Aloka

 

Nothing here is planned. Nothing is performed. The sweetness comes from small, human interactions — the kind that happen when kind people are present and open. A smile appears unexpectedly. Gestures are genuine. Someone pauses, not because they have to but because they want to.

These moments change the world little by little because inner peace expresses as world peace. They change the moment. As part of the Walk for Peace, scenes like this appear along the road — not loud or dramatic, just quietly heartwarming. People notice without trying. They react without thinking. And suddenly, the space is warmer.

(USA-Buddha's Teaching.) Day 104: resume after lunch for next destination

Aloka the Peace Dog is the big star walking

This movement isn’t about distance, destination, or purpose. It’s about feeling. It’s about how sweetness shows up when no one is trying to impress or persuade.

• What is the way to such "sweetness"? The Buddha taught four sublime meditations called the Four Supreme Abidings:

1. loving-kindness (metta)
2. compassion (compassion)
3. joy in the joy of others (mudita)
4. unbiased looking on (upekkha)

It happens when people are simply themselves. In a world that often feels rushed and heavy, moments like this land differently. They do not demand attention. They invite a smile. Sometimes that’s enough. This is a reminder that kindness doesn’t always look serious. Sometimes, it just looks sweet.

What was the last small moment that made you smile without expecting it? #PeaceWalk #AlokaDog #Texas #WashingtonDC #SweetMoments #EverydayJoy #LittleThingsMatter #FeelGoodVideo #WarmMoments #LifeAsItIs

• Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Sayalay Aloka (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly