Overview
- Nineteen Theravada monks led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara crossed the Potomac via Chain Bridge on Tuesday morning to complete a 15-week trek from Fort Worth.
- D.C. police announced moving road closures along the route to protect the procession and spectators as large crowds gathered.
- The group drew about 3,500 people at an American University arena and plans outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.
- Organizers say they will ask lawmakers to recognize Vesak as a U.S. holiday, though they emphasize the walk is a spiritual offering rather than lobbying.
- The 108-day journey featured austere monastic practices and heavy online attention, included the viral presence of their rescued dog Aloka, and persisted despite a November crash near Houston that injured two monks and led to an amputation.