Monks walking for peace gave five minutes that felt like a gift

A group of Buddhist monks is on a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Fort Worth to Washington DC practicing loving-kindness; the author drove about 2.5 hours to see them in High Point, North Carolina, and says five minutes with them brought tears.

Monks from a Buddhist community are walking a 2,300-mile pilgrimage for peace from Fort Worth, Texas, toward Washington DC, practising loving-kindness and a slow, meditative pace. They have been walking about 20 miles a day and typically eat one meal each day. The journey is meant to embody peace and has drawn crowds in towns along the route, including High Point, North Carolina, where the author drove two and a half hours to see them. The pilgrimage has faced hardships, including a vehicle collision in Texas after which one monk required a leg amputation, and severe winter weather. Key details: - The pilgrimage spans roughly 2,300 miles across nine states, ending in Washington DC. - The monks walk about 20 miles per day, usually take one meal daily, and practice loving-kindness as part of the journey. - A driver collided with the group in Texas; one monk later had a leg amputation, and the group has endured cold, snowy conditions. - Hundreds of people lined streets in High Point to watch; the author watched the monks pass for about five minutes and said the experience moved them to tears. - The monks handed out flowers as they walked and later spoke to thousands at a nearby stadium. Summary: The author's short encounter in High Point underscored how a quiet, shared ritual of presence affected people across different ages and backgrounds. The monks are reported to continue to Washington DC and are expected to leave the nation's capital this week.