Ifs Quote by Diana L. Eck
“If you went to the headwaters of most rivers of the United States, you'd have a wonderful naturalistic hike or trek, but you wouldn't find a shrine there. At the headwaters of the rivers of India, they are pilgrimage places.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sacred Geography of the United States, 2015
Contrasts US river origins as natural sites with Indian river sources as sacred pilgrimages.
In simple terms: US rivers are scenic, Indian rivers are holy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize cultural differences in place meaning.
Themes
culture
environment
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
cultural
educational
When to use this quote
- tourism
- environmental education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Geography
religion
place identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a place sacred?
- How do we respect differing cultural values?
A Different Perspective
May simplify complex religious practices.
![“Patriotic feelings will surely swell, prompting proud proclamations of the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice shared by the Framers and reflected in a written document now yellowed with age . . . [F]or many Americans the bicentennial celebration will be little more than a blind pilgrimage to…” quote by Thurgood Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0ba/thurgood-marshall-10063_age_patriotic-feelings-will-surely-swell-pro_3199201.jpg)
