Watch the papers at the conference here: https://pilgrimage.hymnsam.co.uk/video/ including Dee Dyas speaking on "Theology ambushed by experience? Towards a theology of Christian pilgrimage for today"
Watch the papers at the conference here: https://pilgrimage.hymnsam.co.uk/video/ including Dee Dyas speaking on "Theology ambushed by experience? Towards a theology of Christian pilgrimage for today"
In the 5th Global Conference, the many personal, interpersonal, intercultural, and international dimensions of pilgrimage will continue to be explored. These include similarities and differences in the practice in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, and other traditions, as well as secular pilgrimage.
Dee Dyas, Director of the Centre for Pilgrimage Studies, gave the opening keynote lecture "Connecting with the Sacred: Pilgrimage, the senses, and spiritual encounter, past and present" at the Waterford Institute of Technology conference
An Interdisciplinary Conference Sponsored by the Institute for Pilgrimage Studies and the International Consortium for Pilgrimage Studies. We encourage submission of papers involving research and creative activity on journeys to a sacred center or travel for transformation from a broad range of disciplines and perspectives including religious studies, anthropology, literature, art history, kinesiology, classical studies, history, sociology, theater and dance.
The purpose of this one-day colloquium is to examine a particular manifestation of interiority and its relationship to material experience: that of the spiritual journey or pilgrimage. This could take the form of an imagined real journey, such as Louis Richeome’s The Pilgrim of Loreto or an allegorical voyage such as John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. This meeting has as its objective an exploration of spiritual and interior journeys, understood broadly.
This conference is designed as an opportunity to share research outcomes of the 3 year AHRC funded project on ‘Pilgrimage and England’s Cathedrals, Past and Present’ in conversation with others working in the fields of pilgrimage and both journey- and place-related spirituality.
Pilgrimages are some of the most ancient practices of humankind and are associated with a great variety of religious, spiritual and secular traditions. Today, the number of visits to sacred sites is increasing: more than 330 million people embark on traditional pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, India, Japan, and Spain. By some estimates, one-third of all international travellers are on some form of pilgrimage or spiritual vacation.
In a classic definition of Indian pilgrimage, a physical journey to a sacred place is made for purification and the redemption of sins. There is an opportunity to detach oneself from the worries of daily life and to devote time to prayer, chanting, dancing, contemplation, reading scriptures and listening to the spiritual discourses of the holy ones. This culture of pilgrimage is deeply embedded in Indian society. In the latter of the four age-based stages of the ideally conducted life (ashrams) - namely student, householder, retirement, and asceticism - one is expected to undertake regular pilgrimages (thirths) to overcome the never-ending birth-life-death cycles.
Pilgrimage is a cross-cultural phenomenon that facilitates interaction between and among diverse peoples from countless cultures and walks of life. In the 2nd Global Conference, we will continue to explore the many personal, interpersonal, intercultural, and international dimensions of this profound phenomenon.
Indigenizing Pilgrimage: Growing, Identifying and Localizing Transformative Journey, will take place May 8-9, 2015, at Concordia University in Montréal. Jointly sponsored by the Department of Theological Studies and the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability, it will bring together scholars and pilgrims from across disciplines to discuss this localizing imperative. One of the conference keynote addresses and at least one presentation session will focus on journey in aboriginal contexts. We would love you to join us on this journey of discovery.
Centre for Pilgrimage Studies
Room B/S119,
Berrick Saul Building
University of York
Heslington
York YO10 5DD
info [at] pilgrimagestudies.ac.uk