An Exploratory Study to Define the Concept of ‘Pilgrimage Meditation’

Pilgrimage meditation, as practiced by pilgrims at Buddhist holy sites, encompasses experiences in five areas: the pilgrimage itself, the self, others, the world, and walking. Fourteen categories of meditation experience were identified across these areas. Seven categories of elements that should define pilgrimage meditation were also identified, spanning motivation and purpose, content, method, results, and other considerations. A final definition of pilgrimage meditation was derived through expert verification. These findings provide basic data for the sustainable development of pilgrimage sites by clarifying the meditation experiences of pilgrims.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the experience of pilgrimage meditation targeting pilgrims in Buddhist holy places in order to understand the experience of pilgrimage meditation, and to identify the elements that should be included in the definition of pilgrimage meditation in order to clarify the definition of pilgrimage meditation. The study was conducted in two phases. The results of this study are as follows. First, as a result of analyzing the meditation experience experienced through the pilgrimage, 14 categories were derived in 5 areas: ‘meditation experience on pilgrimage’, ‘meditation experience on myself’, ‘meditation experience on others’, ‘meditation experience on the world’, ‘meditation experience through walking’. Second, as a result of analyzing the elements to be included in the definition of pilgrimage meditation, 7 categories were derived from 5 areas: 'motivation and purpose related elements', 'content elements', 'method elements', and 'result elements', 'other elements to be considered'. Third, the final definition of pilgrimage meditation was derived through expert verification. The results of this study are meaningful in providing basic data for the sustainable development of pilgrimage sites by understanding the meditation experience of pilgrims visiting the pilgrimage route and defining pilgrimage meditation.