The purpose of the pilgrimage was to pray for world peace, the early completion of the four Great Bodhimandalas (Buddhist Temples) in Peterborough, and the enlightenment of all. The pilgrimage was completed in 181 days.
Bowing is a common Buddhist practice. To perform a bow, one lowers their body so that their knees, hands, and forehead touch the ground. Bowing is also known as prostration. It is a way to pay respect to the Buddha, praise the Dharma, give thanks, repent wrong-doings, and subdue the ego by practicing humility.
Venerable Shengguang Shi's daily schedule was similar to his schedule at Cham Shan Temple. There were morning and evening prayers and one meal at lunch. In addition to his vow of silence, Venerable Shengguang Shi also vowed not to touch any money or luxuries during the trip. A minivan followed Reverend Shengguang Shi during the pilgrimage. This was where he slept. He was accompanied by an assistant who came with their car. On occasion, a group of supporters joined the pilgrimage.
Route Plan
[Click image to enlarge]
| Start at Cham Shan Temple | spacer | 0 km |
| Head north on Bayview Ave | spacer | 9.5 km |
| Turn right at Elgin Mills Rd E/RR-49 | spacer | 14.5 km |
| Turn right at 9th Line | spacer | 0.1 km |
| Turn left at Elgin Mills Rd E/RR-49 | spacer | 2.0km |
| Turn right at Reesor Rd | spacer | 0.02 km |
| Turn left at Elgin Mills Rd E | spacer | 1.2 km |
| Turn left at York/Durham Line/RR-30 | spacer | 1.3 km |
| Turn right at Concession | spacer | 9 km |
| (RR-5/Myrtle Rd/Raglan Rd W) | spacer | 24.2 km |
| Turn left at Simcoe St N/RR-2 | spacer | 3.7 km |
| Turn right at Shirley Rd/RR-19 | spacer | 3.6 km |
| Turn left to stay on Shirley Rd/Russell Rd | spacer | 0.4 km |
| Turn right to stay on Shirley Rd/RR-19 | spacer | 6.9 km |
| Turn right at RR-57/Scugog Rd | spacer | 6.1 km |
| Turn left at RR-20/Concession 9 | spacer | 12.5 km |
| Turn left at Hwy-35 | spacer | 2.6 km |
| Turn right at Pontypool Rd (Resolve) | spacer | 7.1 km |
| Turn right at Porter Rd | spacer | 4.3 km |
| Turn left at Ballyduff Rd (Achievement) | spacer | 3.6 km |
| Turn right at Dranoel Rd | spacer | 2.9 km |
| Turn left at Hwy-7A | spacer | 1.1 km |
| Turn right at Skill Hill Rd/RR-38 | spacer | 3.0 km |
| Turn left at Lifford Rd (Compassion) | spacer | 10.2 km |
| Turn right at Chipmunk Rd | spacer | 2.8 km |
| Turn right at Feetwood Rd | spacer | 8.3 km |
| Turn left at Skill Hill Rd/RR-38 (Wisdom) | spacer | 2.9 km |
| End at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden | spacer | Total Distance: 134.82 km |
Three Steps One Bow Song:
Please click one of the titles below (they are of the same song) to listen to the song.
Oliver's Way
Spent a lifetime marching
To the beating of my heart
And the love that kept me searching
Was right here from the start
The music's all been written now
I'm poised to walk the Way
I take my final bow
There'll be no excursions today
Say a prayer for those whose longing
Overrides their will to give
For this walk among the living
Is like water through a sieve
The more we try to hold on to
This temporary breath
the more we lose the things on which
Eternity does rest
I bow to those who see life
As a gift we just can't keep
Boundless joy or endless strife
To nothingness it creeps
Try to own it if you will
It'll vanish just the same
There is no magic little round pill
Can square you in this game
I will see the ways of heaven
Without walking through that door
I will hear but will not listen
To any other's score
All the wisdom of the ages
Flows through these fragile veins
Cryptic as the Sages
I will listen all the same
-Fabrizio Alberico
This song was written by Fabrizio Alberico. It was inspired by his friend Rev. Heng Sure [http://paramita.typepad.com] who did his own bowing pilgrimage for 2 1/2 years in the late 1970's.
Reverend Shi appeared on his parents’ doorstep in Thornhill on the first day of his pilgrimage. Fabrizio calls this “truly auspicious! The Dharma wheel turns in mysterious and beautiful ways.”
Fabrizio’s song can be downloaded [here].
From the Volunteer's Desk:
Looking Back at the Three Steps One Bow Pilgrimage
It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Cham Shan Temple in celebrating their Dharma Master Shengguang Shi’s first anniversary in completing his Three-Steps-One-Bow spiritual pilgrimage. November 8, 2009 was a day to celebrate and to rejoice for Cham Shan Temple not only for the anniversary, but for welcoming five monks of high positions coming all the way from Putuo Shan in China. They had a great time visiting Wutai Shan in Peterborough with Venerable Dayi Shifu leading the way. What a wonderful and auspicious day!
As we remember a year ago on May 12, 2008, when Master Shengguang Shi started this spiritual journey under the guidance and advice of Venerable Dayi, many people were skeptical and even worried about his health and safety. In the months following, he went through many hardships from the weather, discrimination from onlookers, physical exhaustion and severe sickness. Each time we saw him our hearts went out to him and prayed to Buddha to give him strength. However, with Venerable Dayi Shifu’s full support and dozens of volunteers’ daily help, Master Sheungguang carried on.
Eventually on November 9, 2008, Master Shengguang reached his goal and successfully fulfilled his vow of Three-Steps-One-Bow pilgrimage from Cham Shan Temple in Thornhill to Wutai Shan in Peterborough, a distance of 135 kilometers in 181 days, a historical Buddhist record in Canada.
We asked Master Shengguang how he overcame this ordeal during his pilgrimage and this is what he said, ”Venerable Dayi Shifu always teaches us the six paramitas. It is the Mahayana practice of a perfect Buddhist.”
- The first paramita is the offering of generosity (佈施). The pilgrimage generated opportunities for Cham Shan Temple followers and neighbors to offer food, drink, and encouragement. However the most important gift is the Dharma. The pilgrimage demonstrates the Dharma in action.
- The second paramita is holding the precept: to have proper conduct, morality, and discipline (持戒).
- The third paramita is forbearance: to have patience, to be tolerant, and to be able to accept consequences (忍辱).
- The fourth paramita is to be energetic and diligent with perseverance and effort in handling tasks (精進).
- The fifth paramita is to have concentration, contemplation and determination (禪定).
- The sixth paramita is wisdom and insight (智慧).
Master Shengguang is deeply inspired by these six virtues. They were his guiding lights during this pilgrimage. Together with the blessings of the Buddha and Bodhisattva, the help from many Dharma protectors and volunteers, the pilgrimage was successfully completed within six months.
We have all learned from Master Shengguang’s valuable experience. As Cham Shan Temple followers, Buddhist learners and practitioners, we are very proud of him. We want to thank him for his inspiration.
We are also grateful to Cham Shan Temple and Venerable Dayi Shifu for giving Master Shengguang the opportunity as well as all the help he needed to accomplish his vow.
Thank you, 達義師父. Amituo Fo!
Sincerely, Wendy Lee and pilgrimage volunteers
Dear Wutaishan volunteers:
One year ago, Venerable Shengguang Shi completed his three-steps-one-bow (3S-1B) pilgrimage to Wutaishan. To celebrate this pilgrimage, a group of twenty Wutaishan volunteers made a trip to Wutaishan.
The weather on that day was very cooperative. It was nice and warm and had lots of sunshine. The celebration coincided with the visit of 5 monks from Putuoshan, China, making the celebration more sacred.
To make our honorable guests from China feel welcome, our volunteers worked very hard to clean way-places and prepare food. The job was well done even though there were many last minute changes. Special mention goes to the sushi and special soup prepared by Kindra. They were exceptionally delicious and in high demand. Other volunteers also brought in nice desserts, fruits and drinks. In addition to the volunteers, our kitchen teams at Cham Shan Temple played a big role in preparing the food for the event. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for their great efforts.
We also would like to thank Venerable Dayishi for giving us the opportunity to welcome the honorable monks from China and Ven. Shengguangshi who gave us a precious memory of the wonderful 3S-1B event. The following is the list of Wutaishan volunteers who participated in this event: Leonard, Regina, Mabel, Kindra, Winnie, Wendy, Sherry, Donna, Lien Trieu, Carrie, Helen Ballak, Steve, Abby, Adriana, Rodolfo, Kim Yeng, Zhang Wai, Jan, Mai & three friends.
Amituofo!!!
Best Regards, Kam
Shengguang Shi, I just want to let you know what an honour it has been to meet you and to witness your pilgrimage first-hand. The privilege of having you grace us with your presence on the first day is one that has stayed with us and affected us deeply. Your smile, peaceful demeanour, noble actions and dedication speak volumes, transcending your vow of silence. It was great fun sharing you with my grandchildren as well; what an eye-opener for their pure hearts! We all wish you peace and blessings on your journey, and we look forward to seeing you again upon your return, when we can sit and have some tea and a good long chat!
Nicole Alberico
A Truly Wonderful Auspice
May 29, 2008
By: Wondrous Auspice
It was on the 11th of May this year in the evening of Sunday, prior to Sakyamuni Buddha's Birthday (Chinese April 8). A prospective pilgrimage of The Reverend Sheng Guang has been well prepared in advance for the journey of 135km that would take six months to complete. The dedication of merit and virtue that The Rev. Sheng Guang’s would conduct on “Three-steps of walking” and get devoted on “One-Bow”, this was named “THREE-STEPS and ONE-BOW" would be transferred to the “Three Great Vows” upon arrival at “The Four Destination of Buddhist Sacred Way Places.
One of the priorities was to get some adequate parking locations for The Rev. Sheng Guang's minivan along the urban streets in Thornhill and suburb of Markham Town. As we went on to seek the neighbors in the local area of Cham Shan Temple, next to the 2nd block and to the end of the street; apparently a quiet space was found in a very good shade that seemed privately be reserved for a monk in need of getting overnight rest. It was remarked as a very first morning after The Rev. Sheng Guang has departed from the Temple.
A joyful response received in return as Police's message presented. We're so impressed, at the first moment, by the kindness of a senior lady and her welcoming attitude particularly her gracious manner, which we really appreciated. The Rev Sheng Guang was so pleased to be able to do his first-start for the morning course of Sutra recitation. The auspicious beginning was at a "wonderful" car parking space.
In the afternoon of the day, we were enjoying together with green tea offered by the warmest hearts of both seniors in The Alberico’s lovely garden. It was a memorable day for the most sincere invitation we were welcome by such a non-Buddhist friendly Canadian neighbor.Since then, we've learned a lot from The Alberico's family. For two weeks, we've been very busy until an initial email was sent to Nicole and Romeo Alberico. In reply, we've received not only some impressive pictures those were taken in their beautiful garden and especially; also, beyond the most expectation of everyone, was a song that praises about "Three-steps one-bow" and playing by a guitarist, the younger of Alberico's family since 3 years ago.
What an amazing coincidence! Such an extraordinary song created by a Canadian Guitarist, who made his praise to the American Monks; and now, returning to his parents, made generous offerings in their great respect and admiration to support Venerable Sheng Guang on a six-month journey of “3-steps 1-bow” spiritual practice.
Everybody likes to listen to the song; it’s truly a great song, offered with such touchingly feeling of melody and lyric. Indeed, such wondrous extra-ordinary and truly auspicious matter as the “Sweet Dew” shower of Buddhist Dharma that we are in!
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