Pilgrimages are spiritual journeys from an ordinary place to a sacred place. It is a practice that emphasizes the path rather than the destination and guides participants in developing humility and respect.
At the temple, it is a solemn service where participants gather at the temple gate and make their way up to the Main Shrine, making a prostration once every three steps. These are held in commemoration of certain Buddhist holidays and are always a popular practice.
This practice encourages us to be mindful in every step and entrust ourselves to the rest of the group. In pilgrimages, we make sure that we are all moving at the same pace and strive to be fully mindful and sincere with each prostration.
Before Fo Guang Shan was a major monastery in Taiwan and across the world, the temple started holding pilgrimages to host visitors from afar. As Venerable Master Hsing Yun said, “Prostrations are a way for us to connect with the Buddha. Through prostrations, we give rise to wisdom and compassion.”
Pilgrimage events throughout the year:
Lunar New Year’s Eve
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Birthday
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment Day
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Renunciation Day
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival