When will the Monks be here? The Walk for Peace teaches patience

The Walk for Peace will take patience.

Buddhist monks have been moving slowly but deliberately from Fort Worth, Texas, toward Washington, D.C., carrying a message of peace on foot. Early in the journey, they were joined by Aloka, a dog who began following the monks along the road and soon became part of the pilgrimage.

The monks are expected to come through Davidson County sometime between January 20 and January 30, though exact timing remains fluid.

The question everyone keeps asking is simple: “When will they be here?” The answer, like the walk itself, does not come quickly.

While many in the community are eager to greet them, organizers remind supporters that this journey is, by design, a lesson in patience—especially for those accustomed to calendars and firm schedules.

That lesson has already presented itself.

Aloka, affectionately known as the Peace Dog, recently required surgery in Lexington, South Carolina after suffering a leg injury. As a result, his ability to walk is currently limited, which may affect the group’s pace as they continue north.

Monk Shen shared the following update:

“I want to share that Aloka’s surgery was successful.
What was expected to take several hours was completed much faster, and he is now resting under careful medical supervision,” Shen wrote. “According to the veterinary team, Aloka will begin a gentle recovery. For the first week, he will walk only short periods — up to ten minutes at a time — several times a day. Each week, his strength will slowly return, and his walking time will increase.”

As the Walk for Peace continues, supporters are encouraged to remain flexible and grounded in the spirit of the journey—one step at a time.

For more information, visit the interactive map at https://linktr.ee/walkforpeaceusa, the Walk for Peace Facebook page and the Lexington Cambodian Cultural Center Facebook page