TIGNALL, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Buddhist monks’ peace walk passed through Wilkes County on Monday.

The monks passed through around lunchtime, stopping at 1255 Mallorysville Road in Tignall.

According to the Walk for Peace Facebook page, visiting hours were from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The monks are staying the night in Tignall, about an hour from Augusta, as part of their 2,500-mile journey north.

Hundreds of people lined the streets to support the monks and their message of peace. Supporters traveled from across the country to witness the walk.

“It’s once in a lifetime, why not be out here?” one observer said.

The walk is also on track to move through McCormick and Saluda counties.

The walk started Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas. The monks will journey through 10 states before it ends on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C.

Bhikkhu Pannakara says this trek is to promote peace and unity.

“We have different backgrounds, different skin colors, different languages, that we speak, and different faiths, but everybody is coming together because of peace and this is love,” said Pannakara.

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Pannakara was wearing pins from cities he’s visited on this journey. He says each day they wake up at 4 a.m., walk at least 30 miles and usually sleep in tents.

Organizers encourage those interested to follow the group’s live map, available through the pinned post on their social media page, for real‑time updates and stop locations.

Community gathers to support peace message

The gathering brought together people from various locations, including some who traveled significant distances.

“I’m from central Florida, it was about a little over eight hours,” said one supporter who made the trip.

Many attendees said they came to help spread the monks’ message during challenging times.

“We need it if you turn on the TV and social media, we need peace and love everywhere,” one person said.

“I’m just excited to see them walk and hand out the flowers,” another observer said.

Supporters said the walk serves as a reminder that peace begins with individual actions.

“If we could all just listen to the Buddhist monks that are here walking treacherously over 2,500 miles to show us that we can just swallow our pride sometimes and just hold it within and have peace within ourselves, then we can spread love and unity throughout the world,” one attendee said.

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