A key aspect of the BA (Hons) Religious Studies course is the extensive range of visits that have been incorporated to support your learning. We provide the opportunity to visit many faith groups during which we are able to observe and participate in worship (if we wish), to hear the perspective of religious specialists and to find out from them how they live their lives.
YEAR 1
PATRISHOW CHURCH
During induction week we take our students on their first fieldtrip, which provides an opportunity for them all to get to know each other a little better. We visit the beautiful little church of St Issui in the hamlet of Patrishow, set in an isolated position in the Black Mountains. The church is dominated by the magnificent rood screen and loft - a rare survival from medieval times. The font at the rear of the church is one of the oldest in Wales. Situated in the dingle below the church is the Holy Well of St. Issui and consequently this church has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Time and weather permitting, we also visit the nearby Cistertian monastery of Llanthony with it stunning architecture and beautiful views of the Welsh countryside.
SKANDA VALE
We will visit Skanda Vale Ashram (Monastery) in the Carmarthenshire countryside. Its full title is the Community of the Many Names of God and consequently all faiths are represented there.
A Students View
Skanda Vale is probably the most unique and memorable of the Religious Studies and Philosophy field trips. We were told to expect something a bit different and it didn’t disappoint. The Skanda Vale temples are set amongst acres of stunning Carmarthenshire farm and woodland. There are also beautiful ponds surrounded by images of Hindu gods and Buddha. It seemed a bit unconventional to be greeted by the monks dressed in overalls and work boots who tended to Valli the elephant and the amazing array of other animals that live at the monastery/ashram (including peacocks, deer, highland cattle and ponies) but all that changed when it was time for puja (worship). The monks appeared in their traditional Franciscan robes and filled the temple with their chanting. It was a fantastic experience to be able to take part in the puja and receive blessings (via incense and a small dot of red paste placed upon our foreheads). Whilst Skanda Vale has a distinctly Hindu flavour I particularly liked the fact that it represents all faiths - one God with many names. Skanda Vale is a wonderful place that you’ll definitely want to visit again.
You can find out more about Skanda Vale by visiting their web site. http://www.skandavale.org
REFORM SYNAGOGUE
We will take you on a half day visit to the Jewish Reform Synagogue in Cardiff where you can look around the synagogue, hear what goes on there and find out what it is really like to be a Jew living in Cardiff.
Our students are able to look at the precious Torah scrolls, which are at the heart of the synagogue and, indeed, the Jewish faith.
For more information go to the following website
http://www.cardiffreformsyn.org.uk/
LAM RIM CENTRE
We are fortunate in being situated close to the Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, set in the heart of the Welsh countryside.
A Students View
The Lam Rim Buddhist Centre near Raglan was every bit as calm and peaceful as you’d expect. The Buddhist practitioners at the centre were very friendly and happy to answer any of the questions we had. Some of the main principles of Buddhist thought were explained to us and we even took part in some meditation. I particularly enjoyed the time spent in the main shrine room, decorated in vivid saffron shades of red, orange and yellow. The gardens decorated with prayer flags also left a lasting impression. If you ever fancied visiting Tibet, but couldn’t afford the air fare, the Lam Rim Centre is undoubtedly the nearest thing that rural Wales has to offer - the centre even has its own Tibetan Geshe-la (teacher)!
For more information, take a look at their web site http://www.lamrim.org.uk
YEMENI MOSQUE
We visit the Yemeni Mosque and Islamic Centre in Cardiff, which is the centre of this particular community group. They come together to celebrate weddings and festivals at the community hall attached to the mosque.
Whe we visit the Imam will tell you about Islam and answer your questions. He may also recite some of the Qur'an, which is very beautiful.
You can find pictures and information about this mosque at the following website http://credo.ysgolccc.org.uk/addoldai/mosg/mosgtwo.html
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
We take you to a Greek Orthodox Church in Bristol to talk to Father Nicolaou. We will have a chance to ask questions and explore the beautiful interior of the church with its distinctive religious artwork.
A Students View
The visit to the Greek Orthodox Church in Bristol was interesting and enjoyable. We had a chance to ask questions and were also given a talk on historical aspects of the faith. The church interior was particularly captivating with a gilded screen, ornate chandeliers and row upon row of distinctive religious artworks. We were also introduced to the wonderfully atmospheric Byzantine choir music that accompanies traditional Greek Orthodox worship. It was a visit worth making.
For more information, have a look at this website http://www.greekchurchbristol.com/church.html
For more trips taken in years 1, 2 and 3 >>>