Pilgrimage, usually seen within a strictly religious context, can be more usefully viewed as a voyage motivated by emotion, a search for meaning and a craving to express one's community of belief at a special place. Therefore, the particular place is a location of spiritual union where pilgrims share transcendental experience and/or proximity to a divinity, human being or sacred event. Naturally, pilgrimage performed for religious reasons has a traditional character, but one should not assume mistakenly that sacred journeys will disappear because science and technology are expanding. Actually, our ?computer age? might increase spiritual actions and initiate an even greater longing for religious devotion. One of the main questions I will work on deals with this issue. A commonly prevalent perception still associates pilgrimage with traditional cultures and people in the ?Old World? of Europe. This shallow view does not account for the complexity of this devout act, which includes not only pilgrimage to conventional sites but also that stemming from various individual motivations....
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition of the Term “Pilgrimage”
Etymology and General Definitions of Pilgrimage
3. Different Functions of Pilgrimage and Turner’s Theory of Pilgrimage
4. The Phenomenon of Religious Pilgrimage
4.1 Traditional Religious Pilgrimage
Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism
4.1.1 Case Study: Canterbury, England
4.2 Sacred Sites in Indigenous Religions and Pagan Traditions
4.2.1 Case Study: Stonehenge and its Significance through the Millennia—Spirituality vs. Mass Tourism
4.3 Pilgrimage in Pop Culture: Contemporary Versions of Pilgrimage
4.3.1 Case Study: The Phenomenon of Pilgrimage to Graceland
4.4 Civil Religions and Sacred Places of National Significance
4.4.1 Case study: The World Trade Center—Spontaneous and Traditional Spirituality
5. The Differences between Tourists and Pilgrims in Western Societies
6. The Way Pilgrimage and Spirituality Have Changed in the 20th Century
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage, analyzing how the concept transcends traditional religious boundaries to encompass personal spiritual journeys, pop culture, and civil religion in contemporary society. It examines the fundamental question of what distinguishes a pilgrim from a tourist and investigates how spiritual practices have evolved in the modern age.
- The theoretical foundations of pilgrimage as defined by Victor Turner.
- Traditional religious pilgrimage versus contemporary, secular expressions.
- The commodification and spiritual significance of sacred sites.
- The emergence of "spontaneous shrines" as a ritualized response to tragedy.
- The impact of civil religion and national identity on pilgrimage sites.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2.1 Case study: Stonehenge and its Significance through the Millennia—Spirituality vs. Mass Tourism
Stonehenge is a unique example in the context of pagan and indigenous beliefs and increasing mass tourism. Unlike indigenous sites, it lacks the contemporary use of centuries-old tribal rituals. Since people do not know anything about Stonehenge’s undocumented cultural roots, many pilgrims form their own spiritual understanding of the stone circle. There are tourists who act like pilgrims, and respect the sacredness of the site, yet there are also those who see themselves as spiritual travelers, but approach the site with a measure of disrespect, presuming that Stonehenge is their private spiritual playground where they can pursue their own habits and rituals. Mindful pilgrims or tourists do visit indigenous cultures and sites respectfully and show interest in a dialogue, not in the assimilation which is sought by those who cannot understand that the particular culture simply is not their root.
It is likely the most celebrated prehistoric monument in the world, and therefore a leading tourist destination. Stonehenge itself is “sui generis” (Renfrew 5) among all the sacred sites, standing in a class of its own. Despite the huge number of scientists who have researched this site over the centuries, its origins and purpose are still unclear. Regarding all the “whys” concerning Stonehenge, Professor Richard Atkinson said succinctly: “There is one short, simple and perfectly correct answer: We do not know” (qtd. in: Darvill, 167).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the core research question regarding the distinction between pilgrims and tourists and outlines the shift in pilgrimage definitions.
2. Definition of the Term “Pilgrimage”: Explores the etymological origins and the academic/religious interpretations of the term.
3. Different Functions of Pilgrimage and Turner’s Theory of Pilgrimage: Analyzes Victor Turner's theoretical model, focusing on the concept of 'communitas' and rites of passage.
4. The Phenomenon of Religious Pilgrimage: Discusses religious motivation as a root for pilgrimage and examines global religious traditions.
5. The Differences between Tourists and Pilgrims in Western Societies: Details five key distinctions between personal pilgrimage investment and superficial tourism.
6. The Way Pilgrimage and Spirituality Have Changed in the 20th Century: Reviews how modern technology and social shifts have altered but not eradicated the necessity for transformative travel.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes the finding that pilgrimage remains a voluntary, meaningful collective behavior for individuals seeking spiritual growth.
Keywords
Pilgrimage, Spirituality, Tourism, Victor Turner, Sacred Sites, Stonehenge, Canterbury Cathedral, Graceland, Elvis Presley, Civil Religion, World Trade Center, Spontaneous Shrines, Communitas, Identity, Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The paper explores the nature of pilgrimage, specifically analyzing how the concept has changed in contemporary Western society and how it differs from tourism.
What are the central themes discussed?
The themes include the evolution of spiritual journeys, the role of sacred sites in both traditional religion and pop culture, and the emergence of nationalistic "civil religions."
What is the main research question?
The work aims to answer what differentiates a pilgrim from a tourist and how the definition of pilgrimage has evolved within recent history.
Which theoretical approach does the author use?
The author primarily relies on the theoretical model of anthropologist Victor Turner, particularly his concepts of rites of passage and communitas.
What does the main body cover?
It covers case studies ranging from traditional Christian sites like Canterbury to pop-cultural sites like Graceland, and modern responses to disaster like the World Trade Center site.
What keywords characterize the research?
Key terms include pilgrimage, spirituality, sacred sites, communitas, and civil religion.
How does the author define the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim?
The author argues that while tourists seek to remain unaffected by their surroundings, pilgrims actively invest themselves in their journey to achieve personal or spiritual transformation.
How does the work interpret the "spontaneous shrines" created after September 11th?
The author views these as a contemporary, ritualized response to tragedy, functioning similarly to traditional pilgrimage sites by allowing mourners to express grief and create a sense of connection.
- Quote paper
- H.-A. Theilen (Author), 2002, Places of Pilgrimage, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/11253
