Buddhist monks walking 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington DC gain more than 1 million followers

A group of Buddhist monks is walking roughly 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. as a months-long moving meditation called the Walk for Peace, and their Facebook following has recently passed one million.

Buddhist monks are walking on foot across the United States from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., a journey they call the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center's Walk for Peace. They describe the more than 2,300-mile trek as a spiritual practice and moving meditation rather than a protest. The walk began in late October and is expected to conclude later this winter in the nation's capital. The group says the effort aims to promote peace, compassion and mindfulness during a time they describe as marked by division and uncertainty. Key details: - The route spans more than 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. and began in late October. - The journey is named the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center's Walk for Peace and is presented as a spiritual practice and moving meditation. - The group has been greeted by supporters along the way who have walked short stretches, offered food, or observed quietly. - The monks keep a blog tracking the trip and describe tying a blessing string around the wrist of visitors as a symbolic connection. - A rescue dog called Aloka has been traveling with the group and appears in photos and videos shared online. - Their Facebook following recently surpassed one million, and videos and posts from the walk have drawn wide online interest. Summary: The walk has attracted broad public attention online and in communities along the route while the group emphasizes a message of peace, compassion and mindfulness rather than politics. The journey is reported to continue eastward and is expected to finish in Washington, D.C., later this winter.