How to use these prompts
These questions are meant for quiet moments, perhaps at the end of a day or over a cup of tea. They are not a religious practice, not a teaching, and not drawn from any particular lineage. This site is an independent guide and does not speak for any tradition. Anyone, of any belief or none, can use them.
A few simple guidelines:
- Choose one or two questions rather than answering all of them.
- Answer in your head, aloud to a companion, or in writing. If you want to write, ideas for keeping a pilgrimage journal can help, but a few words are enough.
- There are no right answers. If a question feels irrelevant, skip it.
- Stop if something feels too heavy. Rest matters more than reflection on a tiring day.
Before you set out
Use these on the evening before you leave, or on your first night.
- Why am I making this journey, in plain words?
- What am I hoping for, and what would I be glad to let go of expecting?
- What do I know about the places I will visit, and what do I want to learn?
- Who am I carrying with me in mind?
Arrival days
The first days often feel disorienting: new sounds, heat or cold, unfamiliar food, sleep disruption.
- What did I notice when I first arrived?
- Where in my body am I holding tension?
- What did I see that I did not expect?
- Am I looking after myself, with enough water, food and rest? Pilgrim health basics are a useful reference for general principles.
On days at the sites
For days spent visiting shrines, temples and monasteries.
- When today did I feel most present? What was happening?
- When did I feel rushed, and what was I rushing toward?
- What did I see people doing that I did not understand, and how might I learn about it respectfully later?
- Was there a moment when I would have preferred to put the camera away?
- Did I follow local customs well today, from temple entry customs to dress? Where was I unsure?
- Whom did I meet today, and how were they kind to me?
On difficult days
Pilgrimage is rarely smooth. Delays, illness, crowds, frustration and tiredness are normal.
- What was hard today, and what did I do about it?
- Did I notice irritation or impatience? What did it feel like before I reacted?
- Is there something I need to change tomorrow, such as pace, plans or expectations?
- If I had to ask for help, how did that feel?
If you are unwell, particularly at altitude, in heat or after a long walk, put the prompts aside and seek appropriate medical help. Reflection should never come before safety.
On days with ceremonies or crowds
- How did it feel to be one among many?
- What was I watching, and what was I taking part in?
- Did I understand my place as a guest? Visiting during ceremonies is often moving, but also calls for restraint and courtesy.
- What would I like to remember about the sounds or the atmosphere?
Questions about others
- What did I notice about the lives of the people living around the sites?
- Did my spending or behaviour help or burden anyone today?
- Did I leave any waste or disturbance behind?
- What assumptions did I make about someone today, and were they accurate?
A walking day
For anyone who walks a route over several days.
- What did the walking feel like in my body at the start and at the end?
- What did I notice on the path that I would have missed by vehicle?
- Where did I want to hurry, and where did I want to stay?
- What did I carry that I did not need?
The final evening
- What stays with me from this journey so far?
- Which moments do I most want to remember?
- Which moments do I wish had gone differently, and can I accept that?
- What small thing from the road might I want to keep doing at home?
- Who would I like to thank?
Using prompts lightly
These questions are tools, nothing more. Some travellers prefer silence, others prefer conversation with a friend or fellow traveller. Neither is better. If you belong to a Buddhist community, you may already have your own reflections, chants or practices, and those should take precedence over a list like this. If you are unfamiliar with Buddhist ideas, you can read about the major Buddhist traditions before deciding what you wish to explore.