Circumambulation

Relief of ancient Indian Buddhists (monks at left, a lay couple at right, statues behind) circumambulating a stupa in a *chaitya* temple

Circumambulation^[1] (from Latin circum around^[2] and ambulātus to walk^[3]) is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol.^[4]

Circumambulation of temples or deity images is an integral part of Hindu and Buddhist devotional practice (known in Sanskrit as pradakśiṇā).^[5] It is also present in other religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

^ Goblet d'Alviella, Eugène (1908). Circumambulation in: Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics, Volume 3, 667 – 669. Edinburgh: Clark.
^ "Circum-". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
^ "Ambulate". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
^ Bowker, John (1999). The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 224. ISBN 0-19-866242-4.
^ "Buddhamind.info: Circumambulation". Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2005-11-21.

[1] Goblet d'Alviella, Eugène (1908). Circumambulation in: Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics, Volume 3, 667 – 669. Edinburgh: Clark.

[2] "Circum-". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2014-03-07.

[3] "Ambulate". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2014-03-07.

[Bowker-4] Bowker, John (1999). The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 224. ISBN 0-19-866242-4.

[5] "Buddhamind.info: Circumambulation". Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2005-11-21.

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