At a Glance
- Two Buddhist monks injured when a truck hit their escort vehicle during a cross-country walk.
- The 2-dozen-monk group, traveling 10 states, continues toward Washington, D.C. after the accident.
- The incident occurred last month outside Houston, Texas, near Dayton.
- Why it matters: The walk exemplifies a long-standing Buddhist tradition of peace activism, and the accident underscores the risks of such public demonstrations.
A group of Buddhist monks trekking across the United States to promote peace was shaken when a truck struck their escort vehicle outside Houston, injuring two monks. Despite the accident, the 2-dozen-person group-led by the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center-has kept moving toward Washington, D.C., covering 10 states on a 2,300-mile pilgrimage.
The Walk Continues
The monks began their journey in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26 and have reached Georgia, where they plan to walk from Morrow to Decatur on Tuesday, marking day 66 of the trek. They invite the public to a Peace Gathering in Decatur that afternoon. Their route will take them through Athens, Georgia; Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia, before heading to the capital.
- States covered: Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia
- Major cities: Athens, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Richmond
Their Facebook page, with over 400k followers, updates followers with progress reports, inspirational notes, and poetry. Their loyal dog Aloka, whose hashtag is #AlokathePeaceDog, accompanies them throughout the journey.
The Accident
Last month, while walking on a highway side near Dayton, Texas, the escort vehicle-its hazard lights on-was hit by a truck that did not notice the slow speed and failed to avoid it. The impact pushed the escort into two monks, one of whom sustained substantial leg injuries and was flown by helicopter to a Houston hospital; the other received ambulance transport to a suburban hospital.
Dayton Interim Police Chief Shane Burleigh stated:
> “The truck ‘didn’t notice how slow the vehicle was going, tried to make an evasive maneuver to drive around the vehicle, and didn’t do it in time,’ Burleigh said at the time.”
Dayton Interim Police Chief Shane Burleigh added:
> “It struck the escort vehicle in the rear left, pushed the escort into two of the monks.”
The monk who sustained the serious leg injuries was expected to have a series of surgeries to heal a broken bone, but his prognosis for recovery was good, a spokeswoman for the group said.
Background
Buddhism, rooted in the teachings of Gautama Buddha, emphasizes non-violence, meditation, and compassion. Its peace activism has been championed by figures such as the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, who apply these principles to global justice and peace-building.
- Core teachings: Non-violence, Mental discipline via meditation, Compassion for all beings
Key Takeaways
- Two monks were injured in a truck accident, yet the 2-dozen-person group continues the 2,300-mile walk.
- The journey covers 10 states, with a strong social media presence of 400k Facebook followers.
- The incident highlights the risks of public demonstrations and the resilience of peace activists.
The monks press on, reaffirming their commitment to walk together toward a more peaceful world.
