Author Description

Inspired by the 3000-mile pilgrimage across China made by Great Master Xu Yun in 1883, Bhikshu (Buddhist monk) Heng Ju decided to embark on his own three steps, one bow pilgrimage from San Francisco to Seattle. With the help of his close friend, Bhikshu Heng Yo, Heng Ju completed the 1100-mile journey in ten months, from August 1973 to October 1974. After every three steps, he bowed in full prostration on the ground, praying for world peace and seeking spiritual awakening. This book is based on the original journal entries made by the two monks during the pilgrimage. The book is a detailed account of the progress of their journey, relating internal and external hardships, revealing their realizations and awakenings, and details of their communications and interactions with their teacher, Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua and the many members of the Buddhist community who provided support to them, and the various people they met along the way. The book shows Buddhism in its true form: a practice to transform the mind, and thereby the world in which we live. This 40th anniversary edition comes with a preface written by Jeanette Testu, daughter of the former Heng Ju who had returned to lay life.