Home Care In Snellville, GA

ATLANTA, Ga. — A Buddhist monk who was hit by a car during the Walk for Peace in November is back home in Georgia – just in time for the other monks to visit him while passing through Gwinnett county.

On Nov. 11, Phra-Ajarnh Maha Dam Phommasan was walking for peace with a group of other Buddhist monks on the side of the road about 30 miles east of Houston, Texas, when a car slammed into the monks’ escort vehicle, which then hit Phommasan.

“At the moment when I was hit I feel myself sliding across the ground, but with Buddhist belief, we believe that when we’re conscious of our awareness when we are about to die, it eliminates the chance of us going to hell and gives us a more direct route into heaven and nirvana,” he said.

Phommasan lived, and he was rushed to the hospital in Houston, where he learned he lost his left leg.

“The doctor told me my bone and my muscle, it’s missing... it’s gone. It’s not broken. It’s gone,” said Phommasan.

After more than a month in the hospital, Phommasan is now back home in Snellville, where the monks he was walking with stopped to see him on Wednesday.

“I’m very ecstatic to see the monks from the Walk for Peace movement, because the last time I saw them was when I was still in the hospital,” said Phommasan.

As hard as it’s been to deal with losing his leg, Phommasan says some good did come out of it.

“Before the accident the Walk for Peace movement was still unknown and not too many people knew about it, but after my injury it sparked a lot of interest in many different communities and brought a lot of attention to not only Walk for Peace but to Buddhism as well,” said Phommasan.

He says before the walk he had concerns about safety.

“Before the walk I had a feeling that something like this might happen to either me or my friends, because walking around the roads is very dangerous,” said Phommasan. “But now I’m at peace with what has happened.”

Phommasan said that even though he can no longer take part in the walk, he still plans on meeting up with his fellow monks when they reach Washington, D.C., in February.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A group of Buddhist monks departed Snellville on Thursday afternoon, heading north as they continued a 2,300-mile cross-country walk for peace toward Washington, D.C.

Where are the Buddhist monks now?

What we know:

The monks, who have been traveling through North Georgia all week, made a stop at a local temple Thursday morning. They held an offering ceremony to ring in the New Year before stopping for lunch in Gwinnett County.

The journey began in Fort Worth, Texas, in October. Since arriving in Georgia, the group has made several stops throughout metro Atlanta to promote their message of international harmony.

A large crowd gathered in Snellville to support the monks, with some supporters arriving as early as 6 a.m. One woman in attendance said the simplicity of the mission resonated with her.

Spreading peace across Georgia

What they're saying:

"There’s a lot going on nowadays," the woman said. "So, you know, for them to walk and show everybody, not just America but the world and, and just show that we can come together by doing something simple. It’s just walking, you know, it’s something that we do every day. But they’re doing this cross-country, and it’s just amazing."

Gabriela Jiménez came out to Loganville with her husband, Angel, and their daughter Rosalie. "Very exciting. It's January 1, it’s a great way to start the year," Jiménez said. "It’s something that’s very beautiful, something that is very needed in today’s times."

Jiménez calls the monks’ travels "a brave act of compassion. The message that it’s supposed to give is a beautiful and one that brings us together. I feel like a lot of us are divided and that’s just something that can bring us together, which is something that we need," she said.

Gabrielle Freeman braved a bad foot injury just to watch them walk. "It’s such an awesome movement that we wanted to witness it," Freeman said. "I’m almost at a loss for words for how much it means. It’s just so enlightening. This walk for peace means solidarity, it means coming together as a whole, as a people."

Thazabone Chant, who brought her two-year-old son, is from Burma. Chant says this is a chance for Georgians to learn about her culture. "They can see our Buddhist culture, Chant said. "I am very happy to see them gathering."

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Buddhist monks Walk for Peace route

What's next:

The monks are expected to wrap up the New Year's Day leg of their journey just northwest of Walnut Grove.

SNELLVILLE, Ga. - Two men have been arrested, accused of setting fire to a Snellville business on Tuesday afternoon.

What we know:

It happened around 2:33 p.m. at Mavis Tires & Brakes, located at 3887 Centerville Rosebud Road SW.

According to Gwinnett County fire investigators, flames were shooting through the roof of the garage behind the main business when firefighters first arrived on the scene. As crews began to fight the blaze, part of the roof collapsed. The collapse also brought down some power lines in the area.

It took under 15 minutes to get the fire under control.

Everyone was able to get out of the building safely, but one person was checked by medics at the scene for possible smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

Centerville Rosebud Road was temporarily closed to allow firefighters access to a nearby hydrant.

A hazardous materials team, Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light also responded to the scene.

Two men were taken into custody.

What we don't know:

While Gwinnett County investigators have identified the fire as incendiary, they have not yet released a specific motive for the suspected arson.

Authorities have also withheld the names of the two men taken into custody and the specific charges they face.

It remains unclear if the suspects are employees of Mavis Tires & Brakes or if they have any prior connection to the business.

Additionally, officials have not provided a cost estimate for the property damage or a timeline for when the detached garage might be cleared of hazardous debris.

The Source: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services provided the details for this article.

SNELLVILLE, Ga. - A group of Buddhist monks reached a milestone in their 2,300-mile walk for peace Wednesday as they arrived at a Gwinnett County temple to a somber and emotional homecoming.

What is the Walk for Peace?

The backstory:

The 19 monks are on a 2,300-mile spiritual journey from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., promoting messages of unity, forgiveness and compassion. Their walk has turned them into local celebrities, with residents gathering early in the morning to welcome them and hear their message.

Buddhist monks stop in Snellville

What they're saying:

They were greeted by Maha Dam, a monk from the local temple who began the walk with the group in Texas but was forced to stop after he was hit by a car.

Dam, whose leg was amputated following the accident, welcomed the group at his home temple. In a moment of respectful silence, each monk stopped to hand him a flower and offer a blessing. Some monks had tears in their eyes as they reunited with their colleague.

"We knew he couldn't walk now, but at the end, in Washington DC, we will bring him for the last segment," one monk said.

Crowds lined the streets of Gwinnett County for hours to catch a glimpse of the group as they traveled through the metro Atlanta area. Supporters said the monks’ message of unity is timely as the new year approaches.

"I just think that it's pivotal that we support anyone that's supporting peace, considering where our country is right now," volunteer Teresa Wilson said.

Other observers, including Alnisa Dious, brought family members to witness the event. Dious said the walk provided a perfect opportunity for people to come together and love one another.

The monks have already covered more than 1,000 miles of their trek. Dr. Shannon Hervey, who joined the crowd to see the group, said the event offered a rare chance to pause amid global unrest.

"There's a lot that's going on right now in the world," Hervey said. "And just to have an opportunity to stop and pause for a minute, and just to really kind of be here and take in their energy."

Dr. Lakesia Dix echoed those sentiments, noting that many have been praying for the peace the monks are walking to promote.

Monks Walk for Peace

Local perspective:

The monks began Wednesday’s walk near a Home Depot on Lawrenceville Highway and continued toward Snellville. Along the way, families stopped to watch, take photos and listen. One supporter, Alnisa Dious, brought her 5-year-old grandson, Kyree, to see the monks, describing the walk as a peaceful event centered on loving one another.

Organizers said some volunteers arrived as early as 6 a.m. to help prepare for the monks’ arrival. After stopping for lunch a few miles away, the group was expected to continue to a temple on Zoar Church Road, where they planned to rest briefly and meet with community members around 2 p.m. They will also meet with the community after an afternoon break.

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A Snellville monk was injured while walking with the other monks during the early days of the injury. As a result, his leg was amputated. He returned to the Snellville temple last Sunday.

Buddhist monks Walk for Peace live map

What's next:

The monks will continue their journey north in the coming days as they make their way toward the nation’s capital.

A group of Buddhist monks have walked hundreds of miles on a journey from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. in what they are calling a "Walk for Peace."

The journey has taken them through five U.S. states over more than 60 days. And they are just halfway through.

The 120-day, 2,300-mile journey started as a way to to "raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world." It's turned into a phenomenon with countless Americans lining the streets and attending ceremonies as the monks pass through their towns.

The trip has also taken a toll on the monks feet.

Monks receive medical care in Georgia

During an overnight stop in Morrow, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, the monks were treated by staff from Grady Health. Many of the monks choose to walk without shoes.

A video shows medical personnel treating what appears to be calluses and sores on the monks feet, and massaging their likely aching muscles after two months of walking.

"After many miles on the road, this compassionate care meant so much to us. Thank you to Mayor Lampl and the City of Morrow for coordinating this support, and to the Grady Health medical team who took time to ensure the Sangha’s well-being," the group said.

Other cities have also helped to keep the monks safe and healthy on their journey.

Monks face medical emergency in Texas

The monks are currently headed for Wat Lao Buddha Khanti, a Buddhist temple in Snellville, Georgia where they will be reunited with one of their fellow monks.

The Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan, the abbot of Wat Lao Buddha Khanti, stopped his walk in November after a severe vehicle accident in Texas led to one of his legs needing amputation.

Maha Dam Phommasan was treated in Houston before returning to his Georgia home earlier this month.

The rest of the monks will join the abbot of Wat Lao Buddha Khanti at his home temple in the afternoon of Dec. 31 before continuing their journey. They will continue walking northeast through Athens and on to South Carolina.

What is the 'Walk for Peace'?

The walk originates from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Forth Worth, Texas, and includes 19 monks and one rescue dog named Aloka.

Support personnel for the monks provide food and water, but the monks also accept food, water, prayers, flowers and other items as donations as they pass through towns in America. The monks will also accept offerings for lodging for their lunch or overnight stops.

Crowds have gathered along the path to welcome, pray and celebrate with the monks as they pass through the South.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].