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Buddhist monks from Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center cross East Rosedale Street and South Edgewood Terrace during their Walk for Peace initiative on Oct. 26, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\nSunday morning\u2019s fog didn\u2019t cloud the mission of the Buddhist monks in east Fort Worth setting out to walk for peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Practicing Buddhists, faith leaders and various community leaders gathered at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center on Oct. 26 to see off over a dozen monks taking the first steps of a journey to the nation\u2019s capital. Other monks from across the country are expected to join the group along the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s departure was the start of their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace. During the 110-day expedition, the monks will travel from their temple in Fort Worth\u2019s Historic Stop Six neighborhood to Washington, D.C.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They will traverse 10 states along their route, stopping at state capitols, historic landmarks and in local communities to share their message and invite people to join them in moments of reflection and prayer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following Buddha\u2019s example, monks often undertake walking pilgrimages that can last for months. This year\u2019s Walk for Peace marks the second journey for Tue Nhan Bhikkhu, the vice president of the temple who is also known as the Rev. Nguyen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope each and every one of us will have peace for ourselves before we seek peace for the world,\u201d Nguyen said.<\/p>\n
Buddhist monks from Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center cross East Rosedale Street and South Edgewood Terrace during their Walk for Peace initiative on Oct. 26, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n
The one thing that we all have in common is that we all want to live in peace, Michael J. Moore I, president of the Stop Six Neighborhood Association told attendees. Moore is also pastor of New Bethel Complete In Christ Church.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moore said he is praying for the monks\u2019 safe journey and \u201cthat the nation will take note that all of us can do something\u201d for peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those of us who will remain in our communities, I think that we should strive to get to know our neighbors, to learn how to appreciate the diversity that God has given to all of us as human beings,\u201d Moore said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
People of any faith in a community make it better, said Leslie Parker Horn, an interfaith representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fort Worth area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not called just to tolerate each other. Tolerance is a very low bar. We have been called to love one another,\u201d Horn said, describing how she studies her own faith. \u201cI know that that is a belief that we share with our Buddhist friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fort Worth City Council member Deborah Peoples took to the stand inside the temple Sunday morning to tell attendees that in a time when \u201cour communities and our world can feel divided, this walk reminds us of something deeply important: that peace begins with each one of us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Peoples presented a special dedication to the temple on behalf of the city for the monk\u2019s pilgrimage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Haltom City Mayor An Truong, a member of the temple for over two decades, offered a proclamation during the departure ceremony.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, all religious leaders should have a role to make sure that all followers use the word \u2018peace\u2019 at the beginning of any action,\u201d Truong said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Texas Rep. Nicole Collier, who presented a resolution on behalf of the state to the temple, said she was amazed to learn about the monks\u2019 pilgrimage to Washington D.C.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something that doesn\u2019t happen every day, but it\u2019s so important and it really touches the hearts and minds of the people,\u201d Collier said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a journey across this country. It\u2019s a journey for healing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Buddhist monks from Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center walk through the Stop Six neighborhood during their Walk for Peace initiative Oct. 26, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
The monks, dressed in robes in various shades of browns, saffron yellows and maroon, took their first steps off the temple grounds onto East Rosedale Street. Some walked barefoot while others sported simple sandals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nguyen, accompanied by his trusty pup named Aloka, led the group through the Stop Six neighborhood.<\/p>\n
A trail of attendees from the ceremony walked behind the group. RVs with the \u201cWalk for Peace\u201d logo trailed behind, ready to prepare meals when the monks stopped for the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the Walk for Peace, participants will practice ancient self-discipline traditions such as eating only one meal per day and sleeping beneath trees as a practice of humility, endurance and spiritual focus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Buddhist monks from Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center begin their Walk for Peace initiative Oct. 26, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Residents outside their homes in the Stop Six neighborhood took a moment\u2019s pause on their front lawns as they watched the group of monks walk by. Some cars stopped to allow occupants to take a photo or video of the monks as they embarked on their pilgrimage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Slowly, sunshine peeked out of the clouds as the morning\u2019s fog dissipated. The journey for peace had begun.<\/p>\n
Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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