Why Monastic Life Captivates the World
Posted on February 16th, 2026
The life story of Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra
From layman to monk
The life story of Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra
Now his message touches thousands of people in USA
Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra
, also known as Sư Tuệ Nhân, is the Deputy Abbot of the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He had a career as a Motorola engineer and holds an Information Technology degree from the University of Texas at Arlington before becoming a monk.
As Deputy Abbot since 2013, he started the Dhammacetiya Project to build a stupa complex for preserving Buddhist scriptures and founded the Hương Tư Charity Foundation, which engages in humanitarian efforts globally.
Ven. Paññākāra is recognized for the Walk for Peace, a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Texas to Washington, D.C., starting October 26, 2025. The walk was inspired by global suffering and depression after the COVID-19 pandemic. He completed the journey in February 2026 at the Washington National Cathedral, accompanied by other monks and a dog named Aloka.