Footsteps of Buddha – Buddhist Pilgrimage in India
A photographic and spiritual journey to the sacred sites of the Buddha’s life by James Gritz— Introduction by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
 
Preface
 
The Buddha’s life is not just a personal journey, but one that has reverberated through centuries, inspiring countless individuals across cultures and traditions. His teachingscontinue to offer profound insights into the nature of existence,  helping all who seek peace and understanding. For many, the pilgrimage to the places where the Buddha’s life unfolded serves to connect deeply with his message.
These places are rich in spiritual significance, each offering a unique window into his path to enlightenment. A pilgrimage is more than just a journey—it is a transformative experience, both physical and spiritual. Rooted in religious devotion, a pilgrimage involves traveling to a distant site regarded as sacred.
 
Unlike the familiar rituals of daily worship at local temples
or in the home, pilgrimages carry the distinctive element of distance and movement. The act of journeying itself becomes an offering, symbolizing devotion, perseverance,and a willingness to step out of the ordinary into a sacred space.
 
Satish Kumar captures the essence of pilgrimage beautifully:
"We are on a journey, a pilgrimage. . . . For me, elegant simplicity is rooted in the idea of pilgrimage. To be a pilgrim is to cultivate both outer simplicity and inner simplicity. Not being fixed and dogmatic with plans has its own magic, its own energy. When we allow things to emerge, miracles can happen. At a deeper level, the true meaning of pilgrimage is to live free from any attachments, habits, prejudices. To be a pilgrim is to live lightly and simply in all circumstances, to embrace both delights and difficultieswhen they present themselves. Life itself is a pilgrimage."
 
— *SATISH KUMAR, Elegant Simplicity: The Art of Living Well
 
For Buddhists, the purpose of pilgrimage is to deepen their connection with the Buddha’s teachings and to experience the profound sanctity of the places where his life unfolded. Pilgrims travel to these sacred sites because they are uniquely imbued with spiritual significance, often believed to be places where the awake state—Buddha nature—is more accessible.
 
The journey is not merely about arriving at a destination; it is an opportunity
to reflect, to meditate, and to align one’s heart and mind with the Dharma.