Today, we had two guest speakers come in to talk to my anthropology of religion class about pilgrimages. Now, as my avid readers know, I am not a religious person at all. However, I was very interested by the idea of a pilgrimage.
The first speaker told us about how he traveled around the Japanese island of Shikoku for 60 days visiting 88 different Buddhist temples. You can find out more about it at the the wikipedia page. Anyways, the speaker said that he and his son hiked the 1200km journey and were given places to stay, delicious food, and great company along the way by the Japanese people. It sounded like a great way to spend a summer between semesters (if I didn't have to worry about work experience or money....)The other speaker talked about the pilgrimages of Santiago de Compostella, the Muslim Haj to Mecca, and a couple others that sounded interesting. I'm not even that spiritual, but I feel that I would really enjoy and learn a lot about myself from these sorts of pilgrimages.
So, what do you think? Would you be interested in a pilgrimage or not?
18 comments:
interesting man....
a pilgrimage sounds very interesting but i guess it kids is more then what u expect
If i was more religious i would def do it i think. Would be a very spiritual experience
I need to visit!
cool post dude
i'm totally not in to religion so i'd never do that.. my pilgrimage is every day to work and back
although i'm not employed right now
i would if you removed the religion part, basically they're just epic holidays with a purpose
Pilgrimages for religious reasons are stupid. Especially since so many doing the Hajj end up in the hospital from heat and lack of water.
HOWEVER, I do feel that going out and braving nature by yourself is a wonderful experience that should never be turned down. You are able to learn so much about your mind, body, and the great planet we live on. I would definitely take a pilgrimage to discover beauty in the land around me if I had the chance.
That sounds like an immense investment in time and travel. Good exercise though?
quite a few people in pic #2
Oh shi- i hear the screams Allah Akbar outside...
Honestly, no. Cult objects dont do it for me for some reason.
Might be kind of cool to do. Would love to do this in Europe.
i think pilgrimages are useful
hehe very nice post
It would be interesting to do a pilgrimage def not the most relaxing vacation. But if your interested in religion and visiting the origins and various other branches of your faith it may be a rewarding experience.
1200km?! That's a bit too much walking for me.. and I'm not religious or spiritual :P
Sounds interesting. It's all about the weather since nobody wants it to be rainy on long unfamiliar trips. Cool pictures
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