A group of Buddhist monks walking across the U.S. to promote
peace has arrived in North Carolina.
On Wednesday night, the monks’ Facebook page stated they
arrived in Charlotte as part of the “Walk For Peace.”
“Thank you so much to the thousands of people who welcomed
us [Wednesday] night in Charlotte,” the Facebook post reads. “Your
love, your flowers, your presence—all of it touched our hearts deeply.”
The monks are expected to arrive in Greensboro as early as Monday.
They are scheduled
to arrive in Raleigh on Jan. 24.
The “Walk For Peace” Facebook page states the proper way to
greet the monks is by placing your palms together and bowing to them.
People are asked to avoid physical contact with monks like a
hug or a handshake unless a monk extends an invitation to do so. Also, “Walk
For Peace” said it is a sign of respect to avoid eye contact or respond.
Crowds are asked to move to the side of the road as the monks
pass through.
The monks’ journey
began Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas, and is
scheduled to end in mid-February in Washington, D.C., where they will ask
Congress to recognize Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment as a federal
holiday. Beyond promoting peace, their highest priority is connecting with
people along the way.
Preferring to sleep each night in tents pitched outdoors,
the monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies,
drawing huge crowds into churchyards, city halls and town squares across six
states. Documenting their journey on social media, they — and their dog, Aloka
— have racked up millions of followers online.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.