Sacredscapes and Pilgrimage Systems

This publication originates from the 16th World Congress of the International Union of Anthropology and Ethnologic Studies held in China in July 2009. It includes thirteen papers describing different regions, types of pilgrimage and sacred places, and contains studies of pilgrimages from China, India, Japan, Pakistan, Romania, Tibet, Nepal, Spain and Israel corresponding to all of the world’s major religions.This book helps understand the dynamics of pilgrimage and the depth of meaning associated with religious and spiritual journeys; it also emphasizes the importance that these journeys have always had and still have within the spiritual life of humanity. Some of the topics covered include religious obligations, salvation, sacred architecture, religious festivals, sacred rituals, cultural landscapes and tourism as a form of secular pilgrimage.