buddhajourney:

Before visiting a Buddhist temple or center, it’s important to know a few important rules so that we don’t offend or disrespect the temple, people, and monastics. Please read below some of the proper etiquettes when visiting a temple or interacting with monastics.

Temple/Holy Place Etiquette

• When entering a temple, it is respectful to make prostrations and bow.
• When entering a shrine room or Dharma hall, remove your shoes and hat before entering.
• It is common to circumambulate clockwise at holy or sacred places, such as stupas and statues.
• When lighting a candle or incense, do not blow out the flame with your breath, but rather wave your hand to extinguish it.
• When place an incense in the censor or at a statue, it is respectful to bow before and after placing the incense.
• Avoid sneezing, sniffling, blowing your nose, coughing, or clearing your throat too loudly when in a meditation hall, so that you do not disturb others.
• When a service is beginning or about to begin, avoid talking with others or making too much noise. Instead, be mindful and listen mindfully to the sounds of the bell.
• Never bend over forward with your back toward the shrine or monk or nun. When standing, do so slowly with your head bowed facing the shrine.
• When standing or sitting in the Dharma hall, do so silently with your back straight and with mindfulness.
• When visiting a temple, going to a teaching, or meeting with a monk or nun, it is not appropriate to wear revealing clothing. Clothing should be respectable – pants or shorts and skirts below the knee is acceptable.

Sacred Objects

• Books and statues should never be placed on the ground, in dirty places, or generally where people sit. They should be on a shelf or as high as possible.
• Do not point at any sacred object or monk or nun with your index finger. Instead, gesture toward the object with an open palm.
• Do not step on any sacred objects, including books, papers with sutras or mantras on it, prayer beads, and other sacred objects.
• When approaching or using Dharma instruments, bow to it or raise it up to your forehead before and after using them.
• When approaching and bowing to any sacred objects, statues, or monks and nuns, bow and step backward a few steps before turning around.

Monks and Nuns

• Avoid touching or hugging monks and nuns, especially if they are of the opposite gender.
• When greeting monks and nuns, place your palms together and bow your head.
• When addressing a monk or nun that you do not know, address them as “Venerable” until you are familiar with what the Sangha calls them.
• It is common to stand up when a monk or nun enters the room with your palms together and bowed head, especially if he or she is teaching.
• When sitting, avoid extending or pointing your feet toward the monk or nun and shrine.
• For serving, start with the highest (or oldest) monk or nun first before serving anyone else.
• When offering something, do it with both hands, even if it something small.
• When having a meal with a monk or nun, stop eating while they are speaking to you so you can be mindful of their teachings.