Buddhist monks on 2,300-mile Walk for Peace expected to pass through Alexandria
Group of about 19 monks left Fort Worth in October, are expected to reach Washington, D.C., by Feb. 10; rolling road closures planned in Old Town and along Route 1
Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace make their way along their route in Virginia. The group departed Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26 on a 2,300-mile pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. (Courtesy
A group of Buddhist monks nearing the end of a months-long, 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., will walk through Old Town on Monday, with Mayor Alyia Gaskins expected to present the group with a city proclamation recognizing their message of peace and compassion.
The roughly 19 monks, led by Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, departed Fort Worth on Oct. 26 on what was planned as a 120-day trek to promote peace, national healing and compassion. They are ahead of schedule. As of Thursday, the group was on day 103 of its journey, walking through Fredericksburg, Virginia, about 60 miles from the nation’s capital.
The procession will travel along George Washington Parkway before entering Alexandria at the 1200 block of South Washington Street and proceeding north through Old Town to Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., according to the Alexandria Police Department. Intermittent lane closures are expected along the parkway. Following a rest and lunch break at Christ Church, the monks are expected to address attendees at approximately noon, with remarks lasting 45 minutes to an hour.
A stage will be set up near Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., where the monks are expected to speak at approximately noon. (Alexandria Police Department)
After the talk, the group will continue north on Washington Street, west on Montgomery Street and north on Route 1 to South Glebe Road before crossing into Arlington County.
The Walk for Peace route through Alexandria on Monday, Feb. 9. (Alexandria Police Department)
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Rolling street closures along the route are expected between approximately 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To support the peace talk at Christ Church, Cameron Street between Washington Street and Alfred Street and Columbus Street between King Street and Queen Street will be closed beginning at approximately 6:15 a.m. through 2 p.m. Vehicle access in affected areas will be limited during that window.
Road closures near Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria will be in effect from approximately 6:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9. (Alexandria Police Department)
The city said crowd size, rolling closures and temporary road restrictions are expected to significantly affect resident and vehicle access, deliveries and travel within and around Old Town. Residents and businesses are encouraged to plan accordingly. Vehicles parked within impacted areas may not be able to move during the event window.
After passing through Alexandria, the monks will continue north along Route 1 into Arlington County, where police will conduct rolling road closures Monday and Tuesday.
The Walk for Peace is organized by the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, a Buddhist temple in Fort Worth’s Historic Stop Six neighborhood that has served a predominantly Vietnamese-American community for more than 26 years. The temple is the future site of the $200 million Dhammacetiya Project, a 14-acre complex that will feature 840 stupas, or shrines, each inscribed with sacred Buddhist scriptures.
The monks, who come from France, Thailand, Laos, Utah and Texas, range in age from 31 to 68. Three of them, including Paññākāra, have walked portions of the trek barefoot. The group typically covers more than 20 miles a day, starting between 6:30 and 7 a.m., and holds daily “peace sharing talks” along the way. They have handed out blessing bracelets — a Buddhist symbol of protection — to people they encounter along the route.
The pilgrimage has drawn significant attention as it has moved through 10 states. A Facebook community dedicated to the walk has nearly 340,000 members. Gov. Abigail Spanberger met the monks in Richmond on Feb. 2 — their 100th day of walking — and issued a proclamation declaring it “Walk for Peace Day” in Virginia, her first such declaration as governor. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein made a similar proclamation on Jan. 24.
Gaskins’ planned proclamation would make Alexandria the latest jurisdiction to formally recognize the walk.
The journey has not been without hardship. In November, two monks were injured in Texas when a car struck one of the vehicles traveling alongside the group. Monk Bhante Dam Phommasan had his leg amputated after the collision.
The monks are also accompanied by Aloka, a rescue dog who originally joined monks during a prior peace walk in India. Aloka, whose name means “enlightenment” in Sanskrit, had leg surgery last month but continues to walk with the group when he is able.
Once in Arlington on Monday, the procession will travel along Crystal Drive, Army Navy Drive, Columbia Pike and Washington Boulevard before ending the day at Marymount University on North Glebe Road. Marymount President Irma Becerra is expected to deliver brief welcoming remarks upon the group’s arrival.
Walk for Peace route through Arlington County on Monday, Feb. 9, from Alexandria to Marymount University. (Arlington County Police Department)
On Tuesday, the monks will depart Marymount and continue north toward Washington via North Glebe Road and Chain Bridge Road. They are expected to arrive at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, between 10 a.m. and noon on Feb. 10. Organizers said the lunch stop at the university is closed to public visitation, but spectators are welcome to line the road to greet the monks. Additional events are planned in Washington on Feb. 10-11, with a full schedule expected to be posted on the group’s website.
Walk for Peace route through Arlington County on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from Marymount University to Washington, D.C. (Arlington County Police Department)
Community members who wish to observe the walk in Alexandria may line the route along South Washington Street or gather at Christ Church. Spectators are asked to stay on sidewalks, observe quietly, maintain a respectful distance and follow all directions from law enforcement. The monks are not accepting material donations.
Several sections of the Arlington route have been designated unsuitable for spectators for safety reasons, including portions of South Joyce Street, Columbia Pike, Washington Boulevard and North Glebe Road. A live map of the route is available on the Arlington County Police Department’s website.
After two days of events in Washington, the monks plan to depart by bus on Feb. 12 and return to Fort Worth for a homecoming walk on the morning of Feb. 14.
The full community notice from the Alexandria Police Department is below:
Buddhist monks participating in the “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., and are expected to pass through Alexandria on Monday, February 9. The Alexandria Police Department will conduct rolling road closures along their walking route to ensure safety of the participants and spectators. Traffic along the route will be impacted and motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and seek alternate travel routs.
Spectator Reminders
Follow all directions provided by law enforcement officers and event coordinators.
Stay on sidewalks and out of roadways at all times.
Stand calmly along the route and observe quietly.
Remain in place and do not walk alongside or trail the monks.
Refrain from approaching, touching, or stepping in front of the monks.
Maintain a respectful distance and allow the monks to initiate any interaction.
Route & Timeline
The Walk for Peace is expected to enter Alexandria on the morning of Monday, Feb. 9 and will proceed northbound along George Washington Parkway. Intermittent lane closures along George Washington Parkway is expected, and traffic will be impacted. Expect delays, alter travel plans, and have an alternate route planned. This information is subject to change.
Monday, February 9 – The group is expected to arrive at approximately 9 a.m.; however, timing is dependent on their progress and well-being and is subject to change. Streets and intersections along the route will be subject to rolling closures to safely accommodate pedestrians and crowd movement. Rolling closures are anticipated to begin at approximately 9 a.m. and continue through approximately 2 p.m. Event timing is approximate and may adjust throughout the day based on the monks’ pace, health and well-being, and any unscheduled rest or reflection stops.
In addition, the following road closures will be in effect to support the Peace Talk at Christ Church from approximately 6:15 a.m. until 2 p.m.:
Cameron Street between Washington Street and Alfred Street
Columbus Street between King Street and Queen Street
Route
Enter Alexandria at the City line at the 1200 block of S. Washington St.
Continue on Northbound S. Washington St. through Old Town to Christ Church
Christ Church (Cameron St. & N. Washington St.) A peace talk will be held at Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA, 22314. Following a brief rest and lunch break, the monks will address attendees at approximately 12 p.m. This time is fluid based on the Monks’ walking pace, rest needs, and any unscheduled stops.
Members of the public are welcome to gather outside Christ Church to listen to the monks’ message of peace. Remarks are expected to last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. No additional public events are planned to follow the conclusion of the remarks.
North on N. Washington Street from Christ Church
West on Montgomery St.
North on Route 1/N. Patrick St. To S. Glebe Rd.
Departing Alexandria, the group will continue into Arlington County via Route 1.
Parking & Delivery Considerations
Vehicles parked within impacted areas may not be able to move during the event window.
Vehicles unable to move due to weather-related conditions will not be ticketed or towed.
Stay Informed
Live map of the Walk for Peace. Additional route information and updates on expected impacts will be posted on police department social platforms closer to the date of the walk. Follow Facebook and X for more as it becomes available.
Route/Road Closure Site Maps
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes when possible. All times are approximate and subject to change based on the monks’ walking pace, rest needs, and any unscheduled stops.
