local
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 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local
· 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, h...
Key takeaway The 2,300-mile journey started in Fort Worth on Oct.
Why this matters in Frisco News
The Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara's rise to prominence has brought attention to the Buddhist community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, particularly in Fort Worth where he is deputy abbot of the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center. As his message of peace and unity resonates with people across the country, it may also inspire more locals to learn about and engage with the Buddhist temples and organizations in their own backyard. The fact that Pannakara's 2,300-mile Walk for Peace started in Fort Worth highlights the city's connection to this international movement. Furthermore, Pannakara's story may attract more visitors to the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, potentially fostering greater understanding and dialogue between the Buddhist community and the broader population in Fort Worth and surrounding areas like Frisco . This could have a lasting impact on the local cultural landscape.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local . Frisco News 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 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local ·
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, h...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Deepa Bharath | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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