Last month as I was driving 800 miles across the eastern Tibetan Plateau, I came across hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims on their way to a holy mountain or famous monastery. Every 3 steps they prostrate all the way to the ground in an attempt to earn merit and favor. They believe that if they accumulate enough merit, that when they die they can be reincarnated to a higher level or, even better, reach enlightenment or nirvana. Most Tibetans spend their entire lives trying to earn merit by chanting mantras, spinning prayer wheels, giving what little money they have to the monastery, prostrating in front of a sacred image or by going on long, dangerous pilgrimages to holy sites. During the last stretch of the long drive to the city, I came across this small group of pilgrims. The temperature was about -5F with a heavy wind that brought the temperature down to -20F (-29C). Their pilgrimage destination was relatively short compared to most. The distance from where they started to where they were going was about 100 miles, though it was in harsh conditions. Often, Tibetans will go on a pilgrimage that covers 1000 miles or more which takes up to a year to complete.
As you watch the following video, pray with us that Tibetans will hear the Gospel and realize that Jesus did all the work for us on the cross.
Tibetan Buddhist Pilgrims from jaminyork on Vimeo.