Buddhist Monks Begin Greensboro Leg of 2,300-Mile Walk For Peace

A group of Buddhist monks launched the Greensboro portion of a 2,300-mile Walk For Peace on Monday after a program at Truist Point Stadium in High Point drew a large crowd. The march, which began in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26, will continue through Guilford County with a roughly four-hour walk to Grandover Resort, where Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter and city council members planned to greet the group.

Organizers describe the broader purpose on the monks' Facebook page as an effort to "raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world." The walk’s long route is slated to finish in Washington, D.C., making this leg one segment of a sustained public engagement campaign that has attracted a substantial social-media following during its progress.

For local residents, the procession brought immediate civic visibility to both High Point and Greensboro. Truist Point served as a staging point that concentrated foot traffic and public attention in an area anchored by sporting and entertainment activity. The scheduled reception at Grandover Resort highlights a collaboration between the faith-based walkers and municipal leaders, signaling official recognition and a momentary boost to the resort and nearby hospitality businesses that host visitors and ceremonies.

Beyond the single-day economic uptick from spectators and staff, the event underscores two longer-term trends affecting Guilford County: the growing use of social media to amplify local events, and the role of civic partnerships in translating symbolic actions into community engagement. A well-followed, cross-country walk converts online interest into in-person attendance, which can be important for local venues that depend on event-driven traffic.

City officials’ presence also reflects a routine use of municipal platforms for community-building activities that carry low fiscal cost while producing social capital. Policymakers often weigh these kinds of public gestures against operational needs such as crowd management, public safety, and traffic coordination. In this instance, the walk’s modest scale and daytime schedule reduce demand on city services while offering an opportunity for positive civic messaging.

The walk arrives in Greensboro at a moment when local leaders are attentive to tourism and hospitality recovery across the region. Events that draw visitors and media attention can help reinforce Greensboro’s profile as the Gate City and as a host for civic and cultural gatherings.

As the monks continue east toward Washington, D.C., the immediate local impact will be measured in community engagement and short-term visitation at Truist Point and Grandover. For residents, the visit is both a public ceremony and a reminder of how small, visible actions can connect Guilford County to larger national conversations about peace and civic life.