For "pilgrimage", Tibetans generally use the term
nékor (), "circling around an abode" (,
THL: né), referring to the general practice of circumambulation as a way of relating to such places. In the context of kora, the
né or
néchen () is rendered as "empowered", "sacred" or "holy" place/object, and the
né is credited with the ability to transform those that circumambulate it. Aspects of both the natural and the man-made world are also considered to be the
né of a wide variety of nonhuman beings such as
iṣṭadevatās or
ḍākinīs.
Né generally fall into the following four types: •
Natural sites. The most momentous
né are the great sacred mountains and lakes. They cover large areas, sometimes hundreds of square kilometers. Within these areas the points of power may include: peaks, rocks, caves, springs, confluences and sky-burial sites. Kora associated with these natural sites can be arduous treks of long distances, crossing a number of high passes and through difficult terrain. :In the Tibetan region, some traditional kora sites important to the region include: the sacred mountains of
Mount Kailash (or Gang Rinpoche or Mt. Tise), Lapchi,
Tsari and Kawa Karpo;
Lake Manasarovar, Yamdrok and Namtso. •
Man-made sites, including cities, monasteries, temples,
stupas, hermitages, etc. :For example, in Nepal, kora are commonly performed around
Swayambhunath and
Boudhanath, two important stupas in the
Kathmandu Valley; in
Tibet, around the
Potala Palace or the
Jokhang in
Lhasa. •
Hidden lands (
beyul): secret or hidden lands; paradisiacal realms located in the remotest parts of the Himalayas. •
Holy person: a pilgrimage can be made to pay respects to a holy person, the holy person in such instances being considered a
né. The pilgrim is known as a
né korwa "one who circles a
né" (), thus defining them by the ritual circumambulation(s) they perform as part of their journey. Pilgrims seek to generate
merit (see
Merit (Buddhism) by performing koras, which are a major merit generator. The more potent the power place destination the greater the merit. A kora is performed by walking or repeatedly prostrating oneself. Prostration (e.g., versus walking), circumambulating repeatedly or an auspicious number of times all produce greater merit. Kora may also be performed while spinning prayer wheels, chanting mantra, or counting rosary beads. Buddhist pilgrims most typically emulate the path of the sun and circumambulate in a clockwise direction.
Bön pilgrims traditionally circumambulate counterclockwise. == Notes ==