Buddhist Pilgrimage

pilgrimage

a journey to a sacred place motivated by religious devotion.

- excludes local and family places of worship;

- distance is a critical component.

movement

"The role of _____ as a form of worship is demonstrated further by religious processions and circumambulations"

the birth, enlightenment, ministry & parinirvana of Gautama Buddha

the earliest Buddhist pilgrimage sites were places related to _________

India

Locations related to the birth, enlightenment, & parinirvana of Gautama Buddha are located in or near ______

3rd century C.E. (200s C.E.)

When Buddhism spread to China

4th century C.E. (300s C.E.)

When Buddhism spread to Korea

6th century C.E. (500s C.E.)

When Buddhism spread to Japan

7th century C.E. (600s C.E.)

When Buddhism spread to Tibet

16th century C.E. (1500s C.E.)

When Buddhism spread to Mongolia

Buddhist pilgrimage sites revered by all sects of Buddhism

Lumbini

Bodh Gaya

Sarnath

Kushinagara

Lumbini

Pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha purportedly was born

Bodh Gaya

Pilgrimage site of the Bodhi Tree under which Gautama Buddha purportedly was enlightened

Sarnath

Pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha purportedly gave his first sermon

Kushinagara

Pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha purportedly died / attained parinirvana (mound built over the site of his cremation)

Why do pilgrims often pilgrimage to sites located closer to home even though they know they can earn more merit (punya) by pilgrimaging further away?

- they may not be as aware of far-away destinations

- they may prefer traveling with family and friends who are less likely to desire / be able to afford faraway pilgrimage destinations.

- it is easier (cheaper, less complicated) to travel closer to home

Sri Maha Bodhiya

Theravada Buddhist pilgrimage destination in Sri Lanka. It is a tree planted in 288 BC that was purportedly grown from a cutting of the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya.

Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism

(Mount Emei, Mount Wutai, Mount Putuo, and Mount Jiuhua)

Mahayana Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in China. In particular, Mount Emei is the location of the first Buddhist temple constructed in China.

Potala Palace

Vajrayana Buddhist pilgrimage destination in Tibet. a dzong fortress in the city of Lhasa, Tibet. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959,

Common practices of pilgrims once the sacred destination is reached

- Burn incense

- Present offerings

- Chant sutras / Pray / Meditate

- Reverently circumambulate (walk around repeatedly) the sacred space