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36 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

Every moment is an opportunity Brick by brick

the practice of pilgrimage isn’t a common knowledge Is there a standard program for the pilgrims,
amongst Buddhists. Finally, the third motivating factor especially those who are there for spiritual practice?
is one’s sense of longing to connect with the Buddha,
a Bodhisattva, a teacher, or to some extent a particular What comes to mind is that some participants explained
Buddhist school of thought. It’s important to note that the program they follow is based on what is established
these motivations are neither fixed nor stagnant but are by the temple they are affiliated to. They however do
fluid, non-linear and ever-changing. not mean this as a ‘standard program’ to which they
adhere. Even for those entering a short-term monastic
Consequently, on one end of the spectrum, there’s a lifestyle, meditation retreat or upholding the precepts as
group of participants who still recognize the need to part of the pilgrimage; as structured as these activities
carry out pilgrimage conventionally; that is, separating may be, they are still not seen as a ‘standard program’.
from one’s usual routines and habits and go to More accurately, they see the activity as a part of their
pay respect at sacred sites. On the other end of the cultivation practice. There’s a group of participants who
spectrum, there’s a group of participants who compares mixes-and-matches what is meaningful to them to help
their day-to-day life as being in a pilgrimage in the here deepen their cultivation practice, and I consider this
and now. Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum are a personalized ‘system of practice’ of their Buddhist
the ones who perceive their short-term novitiate camp, religiosity and/or spirituality.
reflective reading, and meditation retreat all as a form of
pilgrimage also. Therefore, the motivations mentioned What feedback were you able to gauge of pilgrims
are not exhaustive but are indeed distinct. before and after their pilgrimage? Perhaps a change
in their outlook towards life?

Motivation, in essence, reflects the meanings that
my participants make of going on a pilgrimage. And Because the practice of pilgrimage is not a common
the meanings also reflect what they know of and knowledge to all Buddhists, as mentioned earlier,
understand before, during and after carrying out a therefore it did not cross the minds of some participants
pilgrimage for themselves. Once they have experienced to go for a pilgrimage. But some events took place in
the journey, they redefine what the pilgrimage means their lives and as a result of those events, their sense
for themselves, and this in turn inspires how they of personhood or familiarity was deeply challenged.
would do pilgrimage. So motivations are neither fixed As such, they consider themselves being ‘thrown’ into
nor stagnant. They are fluid, non-linear and ever- a pilgrimage. When they come out at the end of the
changing depending on information, places, people and tunnel, so to speak, they are thankful because they
experiences. got to witness the reality of the teachings before their