TIFFANY STANLEY and DEEPA BHARATH.

A group of Buddhist monks is set to finally reach Washington, D.C., on foot, completing a trek from Texas that captivated the country. The monks say their aim is to promote mindfulness and finding inner peace. Their simple message has resonated in the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions. Thousands have gathered across the South to watch the monks. Millions more have followed them online. The monks plan to mark the last days of their ‘Walk for Peace’ with outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.