Buddhist monks ring in New Year in Georgia with ceremony during 2,300-mile journey

Monks continue Walk of Peace in Georgia

A group of Buddhist monks departed Snellville on Thursday afternoon, heading north as they continued a 2,300-mile cross-country walk for peace toward Washington, D.C.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A group of Buddhist monks departed Snellville on Thursday afternoon, heading north as they continued a 2,300-mile cross-country walk for peace toward Washington, D.C.

Where are the Buddhist monks now?

What we know:

The monks, who have been traveling through North Georgia all week, made a stop at a local temple Thursday morning. They held an offering ceremony to ring in the New Year before stopping for lunch in Gwinnett County.

The journey began in Fort Worth, Texas, in October. Since arriving in Georgia, the group has made several stops throughout metro Atlanta to promote their message of international harmony.

A large crowd gathered in Snellville to support the monks, with some supporters arriving as early as 6 a.m. One woman in attendance said the simplicity of the mission resonated with her.

Spreading peace across Georgia

What they're saying:

"There’s a lot going on nowadays," the woman said. "So, you know, for them to walk and show everybody, not just America but the world and, and just show that we can come together by doing something simple. It’s just walking, you know, it’s something that we do every day. But they’re doing this cross-country, and it’s just amazing."

Gabriela Jiménez came out to Loganville with her husband, Angel, and their daughter Rosalie. "Very exciting. It's January 1, it’s a great way to start the year," Jiménez said. "It’s something that’s very beautiful, something that is very needed in today’s times."

Jiménez calls the monks’ travels "a brave act of compassion. The message that it’s supposed to give is a beautiful and one that brings us together. I feel like a lot of us are divided and that’s just something that can bring us together, which is something that we need," she said.

Buddhist monks depart Snellville on New Year’s Day walk

The Buddhist monks continuing their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace are set to leave Snellville at 2 p.m. on January 1, 2026, following a morning ceremony held at a local temple. A large crowd gathered for the New Year’s Day offering, showing strong support for the monks’ message of compassion, unity, and healing. The group is walking from Texas to Washington, D.C., and is expected to arrive in the nation’s capital in February as part of their nationwide peace journey.

Gabrielle Freeman braved a bad foot injury just to watch them walk. "It’s such an awesome movement that we wanted to witness it," Freeman said. "I’m almost at a loss for words for how much it means. It’s just so enlightening. This walk for peace means solidarity, it means coming together as a whole, as a people."

Thazabone Chant, who brought her two-year-old son, is from Burma. Chant says this is a chance for Georgians to learn about her culture. "They can see our Buddhist culture, Chant said. "I am very happy to see them gathering."

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Buddhist monks Walk for Peace route

What's next:

The monks are expected to wrap up the New Year's Day leg of their journey just northwest of Walnut Grove.