What a Latter-day Saint Learned Walking With Buddhist Monks

March 1, 2026

TL;DR

Buddhist monks embarked on a 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace" from Texas to Washington, D.C., holding "peace talks" along the way.
The monks gained significant internet celebrity, with their Facebook page's followers quadrupling and posts receiving rapid likes.
The author joined the monks for a short walk in South Carolina, finding the experience peaceful and less isolating than social media.
The monks' pilgrimage highlighted contrasting Christian responses: some welcomed dialogue, while others protested, revealing a historical tension within Christianity.
Drawing parallels to the 1893 Parliament of World Religions, the author notes how historical interfaith gatherings fostered understanding, even among those seeking converts.
The author, a Latter-day Saint, seeks to reconcile different approaches to faith by recognizing God's love for all, respecting other religions' truths, and sharing his own beliefs with love.
The walk emphasized the message of focusing on the present moment and showing compassion to find peace.
The article also briefly mentions the assassinations of Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti, the case of Asia Bibi, the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and the death of the last Jew from a community in Saudi Arabia.

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