Is there anything similar to a “pilgrimage” today, either religious or non-religious? Are they important?

Question

Pilgrimages (visit website link first. )http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/special/varia/pilgrimage/index

Is there anything similar to a “pilgrimage” today, either religious or non-religious? Are they important?

Answer 1

Pilgrimage is still one of the basic requirements in Islam.
There are many Anglicans who make the pilgrimage to Walsingham, as well as pilgrimage to York, Canterbury, and Norwich.
Roman Catholics make pilgrimages to many shrines of saints, Santiago del Compostella is still a big one, as are the Marian Shrines of Lourdes, Fatima, and Medjegoria. The Holy Land draws Christians, Jews, and Moslems. Jews also make pilgrimages to Holocaust sites.
Sikhs make pilgrimage to the Golden Temple at Amrhitsar. There are many sites for Hindus, chief among them the Ganges river.
The Sun Dance is a major American Indian healing pilgrimage. Look it up.
Washington D.C. is a major pilgrimage destination with many national shrines, part of our national religion along with other national shrines like Gettysburg, Pa, Williamsville,Va., Concord,Mas., Springfield, Ill. and Cooperstown, N.Y.

Answer 2

Absolutely! Yes, they are serious.

Some examples: Buddhists do pilgrimages to important Buddhist sites, such as the birthplace of the Buddha, and the place where he was enlightened. Tibetan Buddhists visit Lhasa, Mt. Kailash and other Tibetan sites.

There is an important pilgrimage route to historic Buddhist temples in Japan.

Muslims perform the Haj. This is a pilgrimage to Mecca and related religious sites.

Many Jews who do not live in Israel make a pilgrimage there at least once in their lives.

Many Christians perform pilgrimages. They may be to the Holy Land, to Rome, or to more minor sites, such as Lourdes in France and Mariazell in Austria. Also Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

I'm sure there are as many non-religious pilgrimages as religious ones, but they tend to be personal: to the place where ancestors lived, to family grave sites, to sites associated with authors, artists, or other persons important to the pilgrim.

Pilgrimage is an important way of stepping out of the ordinary hustle and bustle of life, and listening to some voice within yourself that tells you that some things outside your narrow everyday view may just be very important. They can be to ask for something, to be thankful for something, or just to feel a connection with the generations of people who have worshipped at a site, either in a religious or in a cultural sense.

Answer 3

Yes. Many religions ask that you at least once in your life take a pilgrimage to the "holy land". Many Muslims go to Mecca, Christians tend to go to Rome, Jews go to Jerusalem. It's a very common thing for this strong in their religion.

Answer 4

Think of tourism.

I feel religious pilgrimages of ancient days past can be correlated to modern toursit destinations.

Consider how people view trips to the "Wonders of the World" and consider how, in ancient times, the motivation would be the same..."You simply have to go and see this place before you die- it's really incredible."

Answer 5

Oh sure, all different types of groups, both religous and non-religous have pilgrimages of one kind or another. If you are a Muslim, you go to Mecca. If you are a Boy Scout, you go to the Philmont Boy Scout ranch. If you are a football fan you go to Lambeau Field. If you have a family, you take your kids back to where you came from. (hometown)

I would venture to say that all of these things are very important.

Answer 6

look into the Muslim religion. the pilgrimage is called haj and is required of all Muslims physically and financially able to be undertaken once at least in a lifetime more if able. it involves a journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan which is just coming to a end for this year.there is much more to it look it up.

Answer 7

If you're a golfer, you'd make your pilgrimage to St Andrew's.

If you're a surfer, you'd head for Hawaii.

If you're a windsurfer, the Columbia River Gorge.

If you're a mountain biker, Moab.

If you're dumba$$, a Politicians' Convention.

Answer 8

Pilrimage remains an important, it not integral part of the exploration of spiritual wisdom. For a consideration of this dynamic read Carol and Philip Zaleski's book entitled "Prayer: A History."

Answer 9

have you ever read the book "The Pilgrimage" (road to Santiago) by Paulo Coelho ?

I like that book, i think it's interesting..