Pilgrimage sites are also homes
Around many Buddhist sites there are villages, towns, markets, families and monastic communities whose lives continue long after visitors go home. Tourism can bring income, work and attention to an area, and it can also bring noise, rising prices, crowding and pressure on water and land. How a visitor behaves affects which of these dominates.
This article gives general principles only. It does not recommend or name any businesses, and local circumstances differ widely. Where possible, learn about the specific place you plan to visit.
Spend locally and fairly
Money is the most direct way a visitor affects a community. A few general habits tend to help:
- Use locally owned services where practical. Small guesthouses, family-run eateries, local drivers and independent guides often keep more of their income in the area than large outside operators, though this is not always the case.
- Pay a fair price. Bargaining is normal in many markets, but pushing a price to the lowest possible level for a small saving to you can matter a lot to a seller. Be friendly and reasonable.
- Buy local crafts that are clearly made locally. Ask, politely, who made an item and where. Be wary of mass-produced goods sold as local, and of anything that might be an antique.
- Eat local food. It usually spreads spending more widely, and it is often more suited to the region. Travel food hygiene is a sensible reference for staying well while doing so.
- Tip as is customary. Customs vary: in some countries tipping is expected, in others it is not. Ask your host or a guide about local norms.
Avoid assuming that a high price means a fair wage for workers, or that a low price means a bargain with no cost to someone.
Donations: thoughtful rather than automatic
Many pilgrims wish to donate to temples and monasteries. Giving is valued in Buddhist traditions, though practices differ between communities. Some points:
- Donate at official donation boxes or through the temple’s own channels, not to individuals who approach you without clear authority.
- Be cautious about requests that seem pressured, or that involve photographs of children or vulnerable people.
- Giving alms respectfully means knowing what is appropriate. For example, almsgiving customs in some countries are a matter between lay supporters and monastics, and not all are designed for tourists. Ask a trusted local source first.
- Money handed directly to children, or sweets given in the street, can have unintended effects, including encouraging begging or keeping children out of school. Local organisations working with children can often advise on better approaches.
Your gifts do not need to be large. Consistency and respect matter more than size.
Behave as a guest
Behaviour has costs and benefits that do not appear on a receipt.
- Greet people politely and learn a few words in the local language.
- Dress and act with modesty, following the temple dress code and local norms outside the temple too.
- Keep noise low in residential areas, particularly early in the morning and at night.
- Ask before photographing people, in markets and villages as well as at shrines. Some people dislike being photographed; others will agree with a smile. Respect a refusal.
- Treat monastics with courtesy, in line with local customs, and do not interrupt their daily routines.
- Do not treat people’s religious life as a performance. Villagers who are praying, offering or making a pilgrimage themselves are not part of the scenery.
Be careful with “voluntourism” and projects
Short-term volunteering, particularly involving children or orphanages, can cause harm even when well meant. If you wish to help, look for established, locally led organisations with transparent practices, and consider giving funds rather than time if you do not have skills the community needs. Ask what is actually needed, and avoid imposing your own idea of a solution. Be wary of anyone offering casual access to vulnerable people in exchange for money.
Respect resources and daily life
Pilgrimage seasons and festivals can strain local water, transport, toilets and waste collection. You can ease this by:
- Using water sparingly, especially in dry regions.
- Reducing rubbish; habits for a low-waste pilgrimage matter a great deal where municipal services are limited.
- Not blocking roads or paths with vehicles, groups or photography.
- Being patient during peak times. Festivals draw crowds, and visitors can compound the pressure.
If you are staying in a monastic guesthouse, a monastery guesthouse stay carries its own expectations of quietness and respect for the rhythm of the community, and a donation is often customary, though amounts and arrangements vary.
Listen and learn
One of the most useful things a visitor can do is to listen. Locals are not a source of free tours or free explanations. If someone offers to share their knowledge, accept it with gratitude, and treat it as a personal account, since local traditions often differ from guidebooks. Ask open questions and be prepared for answers that surprise you.
Where sensitive political or social matters exist, as in some regions with disputed borders or restrictions, avoid pressing people on subjects that could put them at risk. Follow government travel advice and check current conditions.
Keeping expectations modest
No single traveller can fix the economic problems of a region, and good intentions do not always lead to good results. The aim is to do less harm and a bit of good, by being fair, respectful and attentive. That approach is available to every pilgrim, whatever their budget and background.