The Daily Populous Monday January 26th, 2026 morning edition
Authored by wral.com and submitted by ChuckGallagher57

After speaking to an emotional crowd of thousands at the State Capitol, the Buddhist monks on their "Walk For Peace" made their way out of Raleigh and walked through Rolesville to their rest stop in Wake Forest on Sunday. This is day 92 of their walk.

They traveled through Rolesville via U.S. Highway 401 toward their rest stop in Wake Forest, when temperatures were even lower due to this winter ice storm that's covering central N.C. in sleet and ice. They arrived at the New Life Church on Zebulon Road in Wake Forest. They will have visiting hours until 9 p.m.

The "Walk For Peace" is a 2,300-mile procession of monks making their way from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., where they are expected to conclude their journey in mid-February and ask Congress to recognize Buddha's day of birth as a federal holiday.

Their Facebook account posted that they are still walking, even though the grounds are covered in white, icy sleet and snow. Some of the monks were seen carrying large umbrellas and wrapped up in large ponchos.

According to their live map, the monks left their rest stop in the Lions Farm area in Raleigh early Sunday morning and made their way north on Capital Boulevard. They arrived to their lunch stop at Van-Hanh Pagoda, a Buddhist temple, on Forestville Road in Raleigh, which is near Rolesville, around 12:30 p.m.

The monks' Facebook account writes, "We continue our journey through North Carolina, heading from Raleigh through Rolesville. Step by step, we carry the message of peace, mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion forward. We are deeply grateful for the continued support and warm welcome we receive along the way."

On the way there, the monks stopped to pray over a woman who was waiting for them in the active freezing precipitation. In a Facebook post, they wrote, "In the harshest conditions, peace still finds a way. In the coldest moments, hearts still warm with compassion. In the most difficult circumstances, blessings still flow between souls. This is why we walk. For hearts that wait, even in the cold."

The town of Rolesville says the monks are to walk through via US 401, but they stress that the weather could change things. The tentative plan is to enter Rolesville from US 401 and then travel down Main Street.

The town wrote, "We understand everyone's excitement for this; however, we want everyone to remain safe. Road conditions will deteriorate overnight and last through the day tomorrow. We encourage residents to not drive on icy roads."

They added that residents who live near or along Main Street should walk as it is the safer alternative, but still watch out for ice. Pedestrians and supporters should remain off the roadway when possible and follow all directions from public safety personnel.

The monks typically take short rest breaks approximately every 1.5 hours. These rest breaks are not public events.

Community members are strongly discouraged from approaching during rest breaks. During rest breaks, monks prefer not to be approached or disturbed, as this time is used for restroom access, rest, and attending to immediate physical needs.

The town of Rolesville encourages the public to not join them in walking, but rather to line the streets to welcome them.

Their beloved peace dog Aloka can't make the walking journey, as he is recovering from leg surgery a few weeks ago. But he's always looking out for them, and traveling alongside them in their camper. The account for Aloka posted Sunday morning that he is bundled up for the winter weather, and while he was curious about why everything was so slippery, he is still focused on his family and the "Walk For Peace."

How to interact with the monks

Beyond promoting peace, their highest priority is connecting with people along the way.

The “Walk For Peace” Facebook page states the proper way to greet the monks is by placing your palms together and bowing to them. Monks may bow in return, though they may avert their eyes as a sign of respect.

People are asked to avoid physical contact with monks like a hug or a handshake unless a monk extends an invitation to do so.

The "Walk For Peace" through Raleigh

The venerable monks began the 91st day of their journey to the actual state's capital from Apex around 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Hundreds gathered outside their rest stop at Apex High School to bid them farewell on their walk. From there on, people were scattered along their route until they finally made their way into Raleigh around 9 a.m.

By 9:30 a.m., the monks were less than 10 miles from the WRAL News station on their way to Greg Poole Jr. All Faiths Chapel on Richardson Drive for Lunch.

WRAL anchor Ashley Rowe brought her daughter to catch a glimpse of the monks walking on Tryon Road. She said it was important for her 4-year-old to see this monumental walk as they've been following their journey in the weeks leading up to their arrival in Raleigh.

"It was a magical moment," Rowe said on air. "They passed us pretty quickly, but it was so lovely to see them smiling back at people who clearly adore them." Her daughter was even able to receive a flower from the monks as they walked past Rowe's car.

By 11:30 a.m., the monks made their way onto Centennial Parkway, walking behind the WRAL News station. Not only were many gathering along the sides, but dozens were trailing behind the monks, walking in solidarity. Along the road, people could be seen bowing, kneeling on the ground, waving and placing their hands together in prayer. Many were heard telling each other, even as strangers, that this was a great day and moment for peace.

The monks arrived to the chapel for lunch, where hundreds were already waiting to greet them.

Durham resident Anne Dorey and her friend Pam said it was amazing to watch them go by in peace. When asked why she thinks so many people came out in the cold to see the monks, Dorey said it's a sign and response to everything happening in the world.

"I think seeing that hope, that peace, I think we need it," Dorey said.

Pam added, "When I first saw them, I burst into tears because we need them so much right now. This is a time filled with hate, and we need that sort of dedication, love and intentionality that they have to offer."

By the time the monks ended lunch and were preparing to walk to the State Capitol, hundreds quickly turned into thousands as people lined the streets of downtown and waited near the Capitol for their arrival. People were kneeling, and some were seen crying just from catching a glimpse.

When they arrived, the monks were greeted with gifts and smiles not only from residents and visitors from across the country, but also from Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, Governor Josh Stein and Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce, who gifted the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara with a Raleigh police badge to add to his growing collection of badges and pins gifted to the monks during their months-long journey.

One attendee who was waiting for monks at the Capitol told WRAL News, "Do you see how many people are here? Everybody's going to take this message home and to their communities. Everybody's not just from Raleigh, they're from everywhere."

On their Facebook page, the venerable monks wrote, "To see so many souls braving the cold, choosing to stand together for peace, choosing to be present despite the weather—this speaks volumes about the strength of the human spirit and the deep longing for peace that lives in so many hearts."

A woman cries as she kneels before the Buddhist monks and receives flowers. (Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026)

Before Pannakara made his way up to the podium to address the crowd—which he is usually known for, as he is the only one from the group to speak to crowds and to the media—a spokesperson for the monks started the remarks at the Capitol with a prayer and an explanation for the "Walk For Peace" initiative. He said that the monks walked 1,800 miles so far when they reached Raleigh.

Mayor Cowell was up next to speak. At one point, she said, "As a person of faith who has become a little bit familiar with the teachings of the Buddhist tradition, I realize that all beings—human and otherwise—are integrally connected with each other in ways we can hardly imagine."

Gov. Stein took the podium to say that monks' walk comes at a crucial time when there is unrest and hate in the country right now. He said, "You've had a crowd following everywhere you've gone and a much larger crowd following you online. That is because you are bringing people hope. You are inspiring people at a time when so many are in need of inspiration."

Stein later announced that he officially proclaimed Jan. 24, 2026 "Walk For Peace Day."

Pannakara wrapped up the remarks with his usual less-than-an-hour address to the crowd. Many said they found the speech heartwarming and peaceful, as he reminded that no matter your beliefs, all human beings are connected in peace.

"Look [around] now," he stated. "We have different backgrounds, different faiths and beliefs, different skin colors, different languages. But we are able to come here together in this weather in front of this Capitol, just to support the mission of peace. It means there's no difference between all of us."

Another attendee emotionally told WRAL News, "It gets really hard out there when it feels like everything is trash sometimes. The monks give you a really good reason to feel like you gotta keep going."

WRAL reporters Eric Miller and Flynn Snyder contributed to this reporting.

FaerieFay on January 25th, 2026 at 22:52 UTC »

I hope they will be ok.

DynamicHunter on January 25th, 2026 at 21:41 UTC »

I saw them walking on a road trip near Houston back in November!! Godspeed to them.

GruffaloStance on January 25th, 2026 at 21:32 UTC »

Buddha's birthday is on a Monday in summer, right? JK, this is inspiring to see.