Tragic Accident Involving Buddhist Monks on Peace Walk
Two local Buddhist monks, among a group walking to Washington, D.C., were injured Wednesday night following a two-vehicle collision in southeast Texas, officials say.
The Peace Walk Journey
The Buddhist monks left Fort Worth on Oct. 26 on a 2,300-mile spiritual journey, according to a news release sent out before the trip.
The group was on a peace walk from Texas to Washington, planning to walk through 10 states over the course of 110 days, visiting historical landmarks and state capitals while sharing their message of peace and unity.
The Accident
The group was in the Houston area when officers started to receive calls regarding a crash around 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, said Shane Burleigh, interim police chief of Dayton.
The group was walking in Liberty County on Highway 90 in Dayton, near Highway 99, with their escort vehicle following them at a speed of about 3 miles an hour, Burleigh said.
As a pickup approached the monks from behind, Burleigh said, the driver did not realize how slow their escort vehicle was moving.
The pickup driver attempted to maneuver around the escort vehicle but instead struck its left side, pushing the vehicle into two of the monks, Burleigh said.
Aftermath of the Accident
One monk, with serious injuries to his legs, was flown to a trauma center in Houston, he said. The other was taken to a hospital in an ambulance.
The driver of the pickup stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers, Burleigh said. The driver of the escort vehicle was evaluated at the scene, but it was unknown whether that person went to a hospital.
Burleigh said the group was only a short distance from where they planned to stop and camp for the night.
Continuation of the Peace Walk
The group had made its way from Fort Worth, down through Waco, Austin, and Houston. They were heading to Louisiana, according to a news release about the walk.
As of Thursday, the group continued with the walk, and the seriously injured monk is recovering, according to an update from The Walk For Peace Facebook page covering the monks’ journey.
“The monk who underwent surgery earlier today is now out of surgery, and the procedure went well,” it said in the post. “He is currently in recovery and under close medical care. The remaining monks sustained minor injuries and, with steadfast determination, will continue the Walk For Peace journey.”
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Conclusion
The accident involving the Buddhist monks on their peace walk is a tragic reminder of the risks and challenges faced by those who embark on such journeys. Despite the setback, the group’s determination to continue their walk and spread their message of peace and unity is inspiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the purpose of the Buddhist monks’ peace walk?
A: The Buddhist monks were on a peace walk from Texas to Washington, planning to walk through 10 states over the course of 110 days, visiting historical landmarks and state capitals while sharing their message of peace and unity.
Q: What happened during the accident?
A: A pickup driver attempted to maneuver around the monks’ escort vehicle but instead struck its left side, pushing the vehicle into two of the monks.
Q: How are the injured monks doing?
A: One monk with serious injuries to his legs was flown to a trauma center in Houston and is recovering after surgery. The other monk was taken to a hospital in an ambulance and sustained minor injuries.
Q: Will the peace walk continue?
A: Yes, the group has continued with the walk, and the remaining monks are determined to complete their journey and spread their message of peace and unity.
