Page 58 - EH 71

F ORUM
56 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Discovering

Sacred Journeys

The purpose of pilgrimage is to foster a spiritual 3. Mount Putuo, dedicated to the bodhisattva
discipline, to fulfil a vow or simply to travel to an Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin), who embodies
ancient Buddhist site. It is an important Buddhist compassion and mercy.
practice mentioned in the last discourse of the 4. Mount Jiuhua, associated with Kṣitigarbha, the
Buddha. During a pilgrimage, the pilgrim gets bodhisattva who vows not to achieve Buddhahood
to express feelings of devotion and cultivates a until all hells are emptied.
relationship with the historical figures associated
with the pilgrimage site. As pilgrimage is important These pilgrimage sites hold as important places of
spiritual practice, devotion, and inspiration. They
in all three Buddhist traditions, we ask our three
provide opportunities for Buddhist practitioners to
well-respected teachers – Venerable Aggacitta,
connect with revered bodhisattvas, receive blessings,
Venerable Min Wei, and Venerable Dadul Namgyal -
seek guidance, and deepen their understanding of
to share their understanding of this very crucial and
Mahāyāna teachings.
important act of devotion.
Dadul: I primarily belong to the Gelug Order of Tibetan
What are the most significant pilgrimage sites
Buddhism. That means, in addition to the important
in your respective traditions, and why are they
sites associated with the Buddha’s life, those connected
considered important?
with the life of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of our order,
hold special significance to me. That would include
Aggacitta: In the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16), the
Tsongkhapa’s birthplace in Kubum in eastern Tibet, his
Buddha said that there are four places worth seeing that
meditation caves where he sat in extended and repeated
could arouse a sense of spiritual urgency for the faithful.
retreats, places where he composed the masterpiece
These are the sites of his birth, supreme awakening,
treatises for his disciples and future generations, the
first sermon and parinibbāna. If those (while still)
Ganden monastery that he established and where he
on pilgrimage (cetiyacārika) to these sites die with
eventually entered Parinirvāṇa. Also, I am ecumenical
minds of clarity and devotion they will be reborn in a
in my spiritual outlook and revere all the marvellous
fortunate deva world. For this reason, these four sites
masters of the other Tibetan Buddhist orders such
are considered the most significant.
as Padmasambhava, Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa,
Longchenpa, Sakyapandita, and many others. Given
Min Wei: In the Mahāyāna tradition, there are several
one’s faith and confidence in Buddha, Tsongkhapa
significant pilgrimage sites that hold great importance
and those other masters, it is easier to open oneself to
for Buddhist practitioners. Some of the most notable
spiritual insights and influences when one embarks on
ones include:
pilgrimage of the sites connected with their lives and
1. Mount Wutai, revered as the earthly abode of the
spiritual journeys. This contributes to gaining more
bodhisattva Mañjuśrī , who embodies wisdom and is
spiritual strength and confidence in sustaining one’s
associated with intellectual pursuits.
continued progress on the path.
2. Mount Emei, closely linked with the bodhisattva
Samantabhadra, representing virtuous actions and
meditation.