BETWEEN TRAVELLER, OBSERVER AND PILGRIM: MEETING OF POLISH ANTHROPOLOGIST/JOURNALIST AND LADAKHIAN BUDDHIST MONK

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BETWEEN TRAVELLER, OBSERVER AND PILGRIM: MEETING OF POLISH ANTHROPOLOGIST/JOURNALIST AND LADAKHIAN BUDDHIST MONK

Journal Title: Folia Turistica - Year 2018, Vol 49, Issue

Abstract

Purpose. Showing the ethical nature of the meeting of anthropologist and journalist Krzysztof Renik with Buddhist monk Tashi, in an environment alien to both of them. Analysis of Renik’s book to find out whether the borders between traveler, pilgrim and tourist are luminal and fluid in nature. Method. Critical analysis of literature. Results. Affirmation of the theory regarding the fluid nature of social categories, in this case that of the traveler, pilgrim and tourist. Both Renik and Tashi are pilgrims, but also travelers/ pilgrims who wander through unknown countries. Research and conclusions limitations. No possibility of contact with the monk, the main character of the book. Practical implications. The article can have meaning for persons who try to understand the religious and social landscape of Hindu countries, and want to broaden their perspective of the world taking the point of view of an anthropologist who practiced long-term observation of the behavior of a Buddhist monk into account. Originality. Renik’s book is probably the first work relating the day-by-day common pilgrimage of the Ladakhian Buddhist monk and the Catholic anthropologist and journalist. The latter wanting to better understand Tashi’s engagement, also participated in Buddhist practices. Being a traveler and anthropologist, he becomes a pilgrim, and pilgrim Tashi frequently behaves like a traveler or common tourist. Type of paper. Case study.

Authors and Affiliations

Jacek Sieradzan

Keywords

EP ID EP518626
DOI 10.5604/01.3001.0013.0831
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