pilgrimages Flashcards
Lourdes
Between feb and july 1858, B had 18 visions of the virgin Mary in the grotto. She asked her to dig with her hands and out gushed a spring. As early as 1864 the first organised pilgrimage took place.
Bodhy Gaya (Buddhism)
There is a descendent of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha Siddhartha sat and meditated. It was here that the Buddha reached a great clarity in which he felt no sense of self and others as separate entities. He had no fear of dying and his mind was at rest- Nirvana. This is a state all buddhists strive for, therefore today they circle the tree, offering towers and prayer flags- the Buddhas enlightenment is the centre of the focus and attention
Mecca- the hajj
1400 years old and is one of the pillars of islam. All muslims should go at least 1 once their lives ‘if wealth and health permits’.
Abraham had a vision in which God told him to take his son, Ishmael to a certain place and there sacrifice him. Ishmael said to his father to do as God commanded- so Abraham too him to palace called Mina and prepared to kill him.
Years later mohammed came and was irritated that the area had become a place of bible study, so he regenerated it and made it more about prayer
what must muslims that set out on the Hajj try and emulate
they should try and emulate willingness to sacrifice and be sacrificed
what happens on the hajj
1) circle ka ‘bah 7 time- try and touch
2) pilgrims go to two hills called Al-safa and Al-mowa- they run between the two hills as Ishmaels mother did to find water for her son
3. Mina- rocks are thrown at pillars- where Ishmael was tempted by the devil
4. sheep/ goat is sacrificed, just as Abraham did.
what might pilgrims be searching for
for a sense of peace with god and unity with othe remember of their faith
where are pilgrimages often based
where religious experiences have once occurred - pilgrimages often mimic events that took place during the RE
pilgrimages are meant to be..
difficult- a matter of the heard and mind
Fatima
1917- virgin mary appeared to three children 6 times on the 13th of each month. She would give them messages and promised that she would bring peace if her requests for prayer, reparation and punishment for sin were obeyed. She emphasised the importance of prayer and of praying the rosary daily.
Miracle: they ere warned that miracle would take place , 70, 000 people witnessed the sun dancing in the sky or zooming to earth, after the event the ground was dry.
Now sight of pilgrimage: pilgrims walk site of apparition and attend masses
point of pilgrimages
increase spiritual awareness and strengthen faith- they are able to witness faith in action
offers an opportunity for pilgrims to step out of their normal lives and connect with god
