Globally Renowned Canine Joins Monks on Peace Trek Across the United States, Rising from Stray Roots in India

A dog named Aloka has become a viral symbol of compassion as he walks alongside 24 Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile Peace Walk across the United States.

The journey began on October 26, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, and spans 10 states en route to Washington, D.C., organized by the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. A Facebook page launched the same day quickly drew more than 720,000 followers.

As interest grew—especially around the dog—a dedicated page, “Aloka the Peace Dog,” was created on December 9, 2025. It has already gained 340,000+ followers, sharing photos and videos of Aloka walking peacefully with the monks.

Aloka’s story began 8,400 miles away in India, where he was once a stray who followed monks during a peace march. He remained with them throughout their 100-day walk, eventually becoming part of the mission.

Now in the U.S., Aloka continues to inspire communities, greeting children and families along the route. Believed to be a 4-year-old Indian Pariah dog, he often walks calmly beside the monks, sometimes wearing a scarf reading “Walk for Peace.”