Monks marching from Florida to Niagara Falls to promote world peace reach WNY

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Nearly a dozen Buddhist monks marching from Key West, Florida, to Niagara Falls to raise awareness of the need to achieve world peace have officially reached the western part of the state from New York.

This world peace march began on March 31, and event organizers said monks around the world walked an average of about 30 miles per day. On Monday, they traveled south on Route 5 and Route 20, heading toward Grand Island and eventually Terrapin Point.

Their 2,000 mile journey has taken them through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania and now New York.

The monks stopped at the Native Pride Travel Plaza on Monday and received a Seneca Nation flag and refreshments.

The monks travel light with minimal clothing, blankets or food, relying on the kindness of neighbors to help them cross America.

The monks will continue this journey throughout this week and plan to conclude the pilgrimage on Saturday at the Terrapin Point Observation Deck. You can follow updates on the monks’ trip and whereabouts on their Facebook page.