'Walk for Peace' monks head out of Atlanta. Where is their next stop?
- - 'Walk for Peace' monks head out of Atlanta. Where is their next stop?
Irene Wright, USA TODAY January 1, 2026 at 3:22 AM
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The Buddhist monks on a "Walk for Peace" are wrapping up their time in Atlanta as they head out on day 67 of walking from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C.
The monks spent their last night in Atlanta in Scottdale on Dec. 30, a neighborhood east of Decatur. Their evening included prayer, chanting, meditation and a blessing-cord ceremony.
Today, the monks are heading east to Snellville, about 20 miles outside of Decatur.
What route are the monks taking today?
The monks are headed east to the Wat Lao Buddha Khanti, a Buddhist temple. Their route can be followed using a live map.
The monks are expected to reach the temple around 11 a.m. when they will take time to recharge and rest before welcoming visitors.
There is no public parking on temple grounds, so those wishing to see or speak with the monks are encouraged to find their own parking, and the Gwinnett Public Transportation will provide a shuttle from the Goodwill parking lot at 3033 Centerville Highway in Snellville beginning at noon.
Events, gatherings and blessings will take place in the evening, likely from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The times are subject to change as the monks walk toward Snellville.
A long-awaited reunion
The monks are eager to reach Wat Lao Buddha Khanti for more than just rest, but to be reunited with one of their own.
"This is a very special day — we will be reunited with Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan, the abbot of Wat Lao Buddha Khanti, who had serious injuries in our accident earlier in the journey and has had to stop walking with us physically since then," the group said in a Facebook post.
Maha Dam Phommasan started the 2,300-mile journey with the other monks in Texas, but was hit by a car in November. The accident resulted in his leg needing amputation. He returned to Georgia, and Snellville, earlier this month.
The rest of the monks who continued the journey received medical care in Morrow, Georgia, through Grady Health arranged by the City of Morrow and Mayor John Lampl. A video shows medical personnel tending to the monks' feet and legs.
From Texas to Washington
The monks are now more than halfway to their final destination in Washington, D.C. They are expected to make stops in Athens and Elberton before leaving Georgia.
What is the 'Walk for Peace'?
The walk originates from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Forth Worth, Texas, and includes 19 monks and one rescue dog named Aloka.
The walk is meant to "raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world."
Support personnel for the monks provide food and water, but the monks also accept food, water, prayers, flowers and other items as donations as they pass through towns in America. The monks will also accept offerings for lodging for their lunch or overnight stops.
Crowds have gathered along the path to welcome, pray and celebrate with the monks as they pass through the South.
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The monks on a 'Walk for Peace' are headed out of Atlanta today
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