Buddhist monks leave meaningful impression as the Walk for Peace leaves NC

Tuesday marks a group of Buddhist monks' final night in North Carolina before they continue their Walk for Peace through Virginia and ultimately to Washington, D.C.

Their time in the state has left a meaningful impression on everyone who has crossed paths with them.

WRAL News was along the path of the monks for much of their journey through central North Carolina and got to hear some of the stories from spectators who got to spend time with the monks.

One Wake Forest family's experience was caught on video and garnered more than 1 million views on Facebook alone.

The Bray family joined spectators in the Wake Crossroads neighborhood in North Raleigh. When the monks approached, they noticed 9-year-old Vincent and walked over to him to tie a bracelet around his wrist. 

"Having that moment with our family, surrounded by our community in the monks, it was just a really beautiful moment to experience, and to share our story, and for him to tolerate that, and just kind of being in that moment together, it was pretty spectacular," Samantha Bray said.

Bray said Vincent has autism and is nonverbal, which made the moment a big deal for his parents. 

She said she captured the moment on video, which has garnered a great moment for inclusion because it spotlights not just the monks and their mission, but also people with autism. 

"He was included, and we don't always see that," Bray said. 

A few days after the Bray family's experience, a Cary-based veterinarian got a special opportunity to treat Aloka the Peace Dog, who is recovering from leg surgery.

Erin O'Leary, a veterinarian with HEAL Mobile Veterinary Laser Services, drove to Louisburg to perform laser therapy treatment on Aloka.  The laser treatment is designed to help strengthen the ligament after he had surgery on it.

"He was super easy, he calmed down very quickly and laid down," O'Leary told WRAL. "I had a friend with me who was petting him through the treatment; he loved that."

O'Leary said Aloka is the embodiment of the Walk for Peace: Joyful and inspiring.