Pilgrimage Ritual Issues - Essay Example

Running Header: Pilgrimage MAJOR ESSAY ON RITUAL: PILGRIMAGE Name: University: Course Title: Instructor: Date: 22nd May 2012 Introduction For many years, people from all religions have been taking part in pilgrimages. Pilgrimages are mythical sites that symbolize something or have contributed towards the growth of that religion. Most of the “holy lands” are places where the founder of the religion or patron saints or persons were born, buried and received their calling. Other pilgrimage places are those sites where miracles were done or where the people perceive as having spiritual power. These sacred places are commemorated with temples and shrines that believers are advised to tour to get spiritual nourishment. A pilgrim is a person who goes on a pilgrimage. People attend pilgrimages for different reasons which can be similar or different with each religion. It separates an individual with the world and connects him with his creator which leads to acquiring new identity. People observe rituals during pilgrimages such as wearing specific clothes, observing some rules and directions, ritual movements and prayers. Most people have enriched their live through pilgrimages as they give them a new look and dimension of life through the interaction with other people. Pilgrimages are important to the life of people as they bring them closer to the creator and to each other which helps to bring equity and harmony in the society (Turner, 1999). Usually, pilgrimages are observed at sacred places and at sacred time. Each religion has its time and places where pilgrimages are observed. Pilgrimages Pilgrimages are religious journeys made by people to a “holy land” to worship and adore their creator. It is a journey of spiritual significance to a shrine or site which is critical to the person’s religious belief (Sumption, 2002). People go for pilgrimages to worship at sacred places which are associated with their religion. Thus it is seen as a religious duty by the pilgrims. These sites are thought as sacred and usually symbolize a greater part of their religious orientation. Pilgrimages are carried out by christians, muslims, hindus and other religions each under its own doctrine. In ancient times, pilgrimages took place mostly in national shrines, monasteries, churches and mountains some of which are still being used today (Margry, 2008). A pilgrimage can be virtual in the sense that a person does not have to be present at the shrine. Instead, a person shares his private moment with his creator at a place which he finds conducive. For instance, a muslim does not have to visit Mecca for pilgrimage, he can still be on the pilgrimage by setting his time to be with Allah. People attend pilgrimages for different reasons. Some go to show their belief in the creator, to seek inspiration and as a sign of devotion to their religion (Al-Naqar, 1972). Others take part to be closer to God and to acquire a new perspective in life. Repentance, thanksgiving and healing are also reasons why people go to pilgrimages. The following are the major religious pilgrimages; Muslim pilgrimage: the hajj takes place annually and every Muslim is expected to make the trip to Mecca to praise Allah while standing facing the Kaaba. While in Mecca, they are equal before Allah as symbolized by the ihram which does not show their status in life (Émile, 1964).The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. The hajj takes place in Dhul Hijjah which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims are encouraged to make the trip at least once in their lifetime. During this period Muslims must practice utmost purity by wearing the ihram and must not do the following; use perfumes, kill anything, argue, women covering their faces, men not wearing stitched clothes (Coleman,1995). Another pilgrimage site is the holy city Medina. Christian pilgrimage: Christians visit different sacred site in their pilgrimage such as Ephesus, Mount Sinai, Vatican City, Jerusalem, Israel and Rome. Traditionally, christians make pilgrimage to Jerusalem to those places mentioned in the bible especially those passion and life of Christ. Christians also venerate the relics and tombs of saints. The pilgrimages are carried out at specific times of the year while observing various rituals (Gitlitz, 2006) Hindu pilgrimage: they are also focused on sacred sites associated with Buddha Shakyamuni (Colin, 1996). They make their pilgrimages to areas associated with sacred and powerful. To them a pilgrimage is seen as a step to getting new life. Some of the places Hindus go for pilgrimage include; Kusinara, Bodh Gaya and Lumbini (Aylett, 1992). Their most significant pilgrimage is to go to pilgrimage places to bath. The Key Features of Pilgrimages Sacred sites Every pilgrimage is to a sacred and revered place. Christians visit tombs of saints, sacred relics and other sites while the Muslims visit Mecca and medina. Hindu pilgrimages are usually to holy rivers and natural places (Eck, 1985). These holy sites have religious significance as they contribute a lot to the specific doctrine. Thus, for a pilgrimage to take place the religion must have a site which they can identify with. Special clothes Muslims wear the ihram during their pilgrimage as a sign of equity that a prince and a pauper are the same before Allah. The Ihram also symbolizes pardon for sins and virtue while the Hindu dress scantily and journey barefoot as a sign of remembering the unfortunate people (Klostermaier, 1989). Christians dress differently depending on their affiliation for example others wear sacks. The special clothes were worn to symbolize something and also to show the importance of the situation. Unifying effect All pilgrimages bring people from all over the world together. Muslims converge in Mecca to showcase their oneness while christians and Hindus also pilgrimage to various places to unite in prayers. A pilgrimage brings people together and as they relate with each other they strengthens their faith since everyone is there for that goal. people go to pilgrimage to be in touch with the creator. The Hindu, Christian and Muslims went for pilgrimages to prove that despite their race, color or gender, they were equal in the eyes of the creator and are willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of others. Myths All religious pilgrimages are to places with mythological traditions. The clothes, rituals, prayers and rules are based on myths. It is these myths that motivate the pilgrims and without them, they will have no point to attend a pilgrimage. The belief that these are holy places which must be respected is the one that has led many people to pilgrimages. These traditions are adhered to whenever a pilgrimage takes place. Objects Another symbol of pilgrimages is the focus on materials, statues, use of icons, images, holy water containers, relics and other objects which enable the pilgrims to transport the shrines’ back to their homes. These objects are the symbolism of the sacred nature of the sites. Without them the sites will lose their respect and value. The statues usually are a representative of the sites main attraction. If the site is visited because a saint was killed there, then the statue is mostly that of the saint. Specified time The pilgrimages are made at specific times of the year and under specified conditions. The hajj is observed on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of Dhul Hijjah while most christians go on pilgrimage during the annual festivals in the bible such as Passover. Phases in an individual’s life cycle are marked by a pilgrimage in the Hindu culture (Chaduri, 1979). These times are always those in which significant events that shaped the doctrine of the religion happened. The pilgrimages are carried out to commemorate this landmark occasions. Ritual movements Pilgrimages are associated with movements at the site. For example the Catholics go through the Stations of the Cross to symbolize the passion of Christ while the Muslims in Mecca walk around the Kaaba seven times (Wolfe, 1997). In India, the Hindu move around in an anticlockwise direction to the four sacred sites (Ganeri, 1995). The movements are necessary so as to share or bond to the situation. For example, share in the passion and death of Christ by the Stations of the Cross. The Role of Pilgrimages in Religious Life Pilgrimages serve a greater role of oneness and equality. This is portrayed in many ways by the pilgrims as discussed next. People attend them to be more in touch with their creator. The pilgrims visit the holy places to personally connect with it, prove their beliefs in their religious teachings and to see and have contact with the site that manifests their faith. Pilgrimages broaden the pilgrims’ horizon in their religion by introducing them to treasures associated with their spiritual culture (Davidson, 2002). Pilgrimage enhances spiritual unity by promoting the moral potential of the people as showcased by the adoption of equality. Pilgrims also learn the importance of charity by sharing what they can with the poor. Conclusion There is none of the most convincing theory as to why people go for pilgrimages due to the doctrinal difference among the various religions. The motivations to attend pilgrimages vary among the religions but the most notable is to seek salvation from situations such as earthly wrongs and diseases. It is not a must for someone to visit the sacred sites physically as he can do so virtually by devoting some of his time to his creator. By giving his mind, soul and time to his creator, he will still be in touch with Him which is the main goal of a pilgrimage. Thus, pilgrimages play an important role in people’s life as they strengthen and renew their faith which can lead to lifestyle changes. With the chaotic nature of everyday life, people lose their relationship with their creator which a pilgrimage tries to restore. Therefore, pilgrimages are very important to peoples’ life. References Al-Naqar, U. (1972) The Pilgrimage Tradition in West Africa. Khartoum: Khartoum University Press. Aylett, L. (1992). The Hindu Experience, Hodder and Stoughton, London. Chaduri, N. (1979) Hinduism: A Religion to live by, Chatto and Windus Ltd, London Coleman, S., Elser, J. (1995), Pilgrimage: Past and Present in the World Religions. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Colin, W. (1996). Atlas of Holy Places & Sacred Sites. DK Adult. ISBN 978-0-7894-1051-1. Davidson, L., David, M. (2002), Pilgrimage: From the Ganges to Graceland: An Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara Eck, D. (1985). Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India, Anima Books, Pennsylvania Émile, D. (1964) The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life, J.W. Swain trans.London Ganeri, A, (1995). What Do We Know About Hinduism, Hodder and Stoughton, London. Gitlitz, M., Linda, K. (2006). Pilgrimage and the Jews. Westport, CT: Praeger. Klostermaier, K, 1989 A Survey of Hinduism, State University of New York. Margry, J. (ed.) (2008), Shrines and Pilgrimage in the Modern World. New Itineraries into the Sacred. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Sumption, J. (2002) Pilgrimage: An Image of Mediaeval Religion. London: Faber and Faber Ltd. Turner, V. (1999) Dramas, Fields, and Metaphors: Symbolic Action in Human Society. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Wolfe, M. (Ed.). (1997). One Thousands Roads to Mecca. New York: Grove Press. Read More

Repentance, thanksgiving and healing are also reasons why people go to pilgrimages. The following are the major religious pilgrimages; Muslim pilgrimage: the hajj takes place annually and every Muslim is expected to make the trip to Mecca to praise Allah while standing facing the Kaaba. While in Mecca, they are equal before Allah as symbolized by the ihram which does not show their status in life (Émile, 1964).The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. The hajj takes place in Dhul Hijjah which is the last month of the Islamic calendar.

Muslims are encouraged to make the trip at least once in their lifetime. During this period Muslims must practice utmost purity by wearing the ihram and must not do the following; use perfumes, kill anything, argue, women covering their faces, men not wearing stitched clothes (Coleman,1995). Another pilgrimage site is the holy city Medina. Christian pilgrimage: Christians visit different sacred site in their pilgrimage such as Ephesus, Mount Sinai, Vatican City, Jerusalem, Israel and Rome. Traditionally, christians make pilgrimage to Jerusalem to those places mentioned in the bible especially those passion and life of Christ.

Christians also venerate the relics and tombs of saints. The pilgrimages are carried out at specific times of the year while observing various rituals (Gitlitz, 2006) Hindu pilgrimage: they are also focused on sacred sites associated with Buddha Shakyamuni (Colin, 1996). They make their pilgrimages to areas associated with sacred and powerful. To them a pilgrimage is seen as a step to getting new life. Some of the places Hindus go for pilgrimage include; Kusinara, Bodh Gaya and Lumbini (Aylett, 1992).

Their most significant pilgrimage is to go to pilgrimage places to bath. The Key Features of Pilgrimages Sacred sites Every pilgrimage is to a sacred and revered place. Christians visit tombs of saints, sacred relics and other sites while the Muslims visit Mecca and medina. Hindu pilgrimages are usually to holy rivers and natural places (Eck, 1985). These holy sites have religious significance as they contribute a lot to the specific doctrine. Thus, for a pilgrimage to take place the religion must have a site which they can identify with.

Special clothes Muslims wear the ihram during their pilgrimage as a sign of equity that a prince and a pauper are the same before Allah. The Ihram also symbolizes pardon for sins and virtue while the Hindu dress scantily and journey barefoot as a sign of remembering the unfortunate people (Klostermaier, 1989). Christians dress differently depending on their affiliation for example others wear sacks. The special clothes were worn to symbolize something and also to show the importance of the situation.

Unifying effect All pilgrimages bring people from all over the world together. Muslims converge in Mecca to showcase their oneness while christians and Hindus also pilgrimage to various places to unite in prayers. A pilgrimage brings people together and as they relate with each other they strengthens their faith since everyone is there for that goal. people go to pilgrimage to be in touch with the creator. The Hindu, Christian and Muslims went for pilgrimages to prove that despite their race, color or gender, they were equal in the eyes of the creator and are willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of others.

Myths All religious pilgrimages are to places with mythological traditions. The clothes, rituals, prayers and rules are based on myths. It is these myths that motivate the pilgrims and without them, they will have no point to attend a pilgrimage. The belief that these are holy places which must be respected is the one that has led many people to pilgrimages. These traditions are adhered to whenever a pilgrimage takes place. Objects Another symbol of pilgrimages is the focus on materials, statues, use of icons, images, holy water containers, relics and other objects which enable the pilgrims to transport the shrines’ back to their homes.

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