A mom says her nonverbal son with autism rarely allows anyone to touch his wrist — making one monk’s gentle gesture unforgettable
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A family in North Carolina is cherishing a powerful moment of connection after an interaction with Buddhist monks during their journey through the state went viral online.
WRAL News reported that the monks, who have been walking through central North Carolina, left a lasting impression on many of the people who crossed their path. One Wake Forest family’s experience in particular has resonated widely, with a video of the moment earning more than 1 million views on Facebook.
Samantha Bray and her family joined a group of spectators in the Wake Crossroads neighborhood in North Raleigh, hoping to catch a glimpse of the monks as they passed by. But Bray told WRAL News she never expected what happened next.
As the monks approached, they noticed Bray’s 9-year-old son Vincent standing nearby. One of the monks walked over and gently tied a bracelet around his wrist.
For Bray, the moment was deeply meaningful — not only for its spiritual significance, but because Vincent has autism and is nonverbal. She explained to WRAL News that her son typically does not allow anyone to place something on his wrist, not even family members.
“Having that moment with our family, surrounded by our community and the monks, it was just a really beautiful moment to experience,” Bray said. She added that seeing Vincent tolerate the gesture and remain present in the moment felt especially moving.
“And to even add, you know, for him to tolerate that… and kind of just being in that moment together was pretty spectacular,” she told WRAL News.
Bray captured the interaction on video and later shared it on Facebook, where it quickly spread. WRAL News reported that the clip was also shared by Walk for Peace and has now been viewed more than one million times.
For Bray, the viral response has been about more than just the monks’ journey. She said it also became a meaningful example of inclusion for people with autism.
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“He was included, and we don’t always see that,” Bray told WRAL News.
The monks have since reached the final nights of their time in North Carolina, but for Bray and her family, the brief encounter is something they say will stay with them forever.