July 18

The adjustment to life in Northern Ontario is going smoothly. It is still unusually hot though. When I wrote my previous journal entry I tried to call it " My Final Words," but I wasn't ready to end the journal and I had a sick feeling even writing those words. Today I'm ready to end. Life here is as interesting as when we were on the road and I'm sure I could write about many facinating things that happen at Arrow River, but I'm not going to.

Austin still has a few journal entries to submit, five from the first few weeks! We are discussing plans to put the journal into a book. We like the idea of printing it as a free distribution book. We may use the funds that are left over from the walk to help fund the prrinting. Just like everything else with this pilgrimage, if a book materializes it will all happen because of generosity.

In closing I would once more like to appreciate everybody who has been reading these journals and who helped us along the way. This pilgrimage was dedicated to peace, and I'd like to close by printing the Sharing of Blessing Chant. If any goodness comes from our efforts, may that goodness be shared with all beings!

Peace with every step,

Jotipalo

Sharing Blessing Chant

Through the goodness that arises from my practice,
May my spiritual teachers and guides of great virtue,
My mother and father and my relatives,
The Sun and the Moon, and all virtuous leaders of the world -
May the highest gods and evil forces:
Celestial beings, guardian spirits of the Earth and the Lord of Death;
May those who are friendly, indifferent or hostile;
May all being receive the blessings of my life.
May they soon attain the threefold bliss and realize the deathless.
Through the goodness that arises from my practice,
And through this act of sharing,
May all desires and attachments quickly cease,
And all harmful states of mind.
Until I realize Nibbana,
In every kind of birth, may I have an upright mind,
With mindfulness and wisdom, austerity and vigour.
May the forces of delusion not take hold nor weaken my resolve.
The Buddha is my excellent refuge,
Unsurpassed is the protection of the Dhamma,
The Solitary Buddha is my noble Lord,
The Sangha is my supreme support.
The supreme power of all these,
May darkness and delusion be dispelled.