Pilgrimage and Faith: Buddhism, Christianity and Islam September 21, 2011

For millennia people of all faiths have embarked on the practice of pilgrimage, journeying to a sacred place or shrine of special religious significance, while proceeding at the same time on an inner, spiritual journey. Objects associated with pilgrimage, whether works of high artistic skill or those intended for everyday use, often reveal deep human needs that transcend particular faiths. 'Pilgrimage and Faith' explores these important spiritual journeys in three of the world's largest religious traditions: Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. While reflecting on the shared goals of personal development and communal solidarity evident in each tradition, the exhibition also highlights their particular ritual practices and artistic expressions. The exhibition features diverse examples of objects from each faith, including a Chinese Buddhist pilgrimage map, a Tibetan Buddhist hand prayer wheel, a twelfth-century Christian reliquary casket and Muslim clay prayer tablets.