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How a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace thrust a Fort Worth monk and his dog into the spotlight
By Deepa Bharath | The Associated Press at NBC DFW
· July 17, 2026
· 6 min read
Chien Le first met the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara in 2005, a few years before Pannakara became a novice monk at the Texas Buddhist temple where he is now the deputy abbot. What struck Le then, and amazes him still, is Pannakara’s iron-clad determination. “When he decides to do something, he goes al
Key takeaway The 2,300-mile journey started in Fort Worth on Oct.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara's rise to prominence has brought attention to Fort Worth's diverse spiritual landscape, with the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center serving as a hub for Buddhist practice and community engagement. As a city with a growing population and increasing cultural diversity, Fort Worth stands to benefit from Pannakara's message of mindfulness, kindness, and compassion. The fact that his 2,300-mile Walk for Peace began in Fort Worth highlights the city's potential as a starting point for initiatives that can have a national impact. With its strong educational institutions, including the Fort Worth ISD, and a thriving Cultural District, Fort Worth is well-positioned to foster a culture of peace, unity, and understanding, values that Pannakara's teachings embody. As Pannakara's popularity continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how his message resonates with the local community and whether it inspires new initiatives and collaborations in Fort Worth.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Chien Le first met the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara in 2005, a few years before Pannakara became a novice monk at the Texas Buddhist temple where he is now the deputy abbot. What struck Le then, and amazes him still, is Pannakara’s iron-clad determination. “When he decides to do something, he goes al
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Deepa Bharath | The Associated Press at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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