Spiritual Dimensions of Buddhist Pilgrimage and Their Role in Cultivating a Mindfulness Culture: A Case Study

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Rahul Ravi Rao

Abstract

In Pāli Literature from the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, we come across abundant information on how Cārikā turned into DhammaCārikā, where emphasis on Pilgrimage developed on a larger scale from Kings, Emperors, Noblemen, laity, bhikkhus, and bhikkhunī who travelled to witness the footprints where the Buddha once walked and preached Dhamma to a larger gathering in his lifetime. This research presents case studies of prominent pilgrims who have revived the culture of Buddhist pilgrimage through mindful walking with awareness and developed a mindfulness culture, which has been ignored from a larger perspective, where no study has been conducted in such a manner. This study aims to show how important pilgrimage is for developing a mindfulness culture. Therefore, from this research, the untouched aspects of their ancient and modern pilgrim journeys will be connected through spiritual dimensions, and the role they played in cultivating a mindfulness culture will be examined through their primary resources from literature, epigraphical inscriptions, travelogues, archaeological reports, and revival work in developing these historical pilgrimage sites.

Article Details

How to Cite
Rahul Ravi Rao. (2025). Spiritual Dimensions of Buddhist Pilgrimage and Their Role in Cultivating a Mindfulness Culture: A Case Study. Buddhism in Mekong Region Journal, 8(2), 100–110. retrieved from https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bmrj/article/view/291384
Section
Academic Article

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