A Guide To Temple Etiquette

• Shoes and hats should be removed before entering the temple, leave shoes outside, placed where they won’t block doorway.

• Clothing should be modest; provocative or revealing clothing is inappropriate. Attire need not be formal, but please dress respectfully—no shorts, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, etc.

• If perfume or cologne is worn, it should be used sparingly.

• Women should not touch monks; men should not touch nuns.This includes shaking hands.

• Pagers and cell phones should be in silent mode or turned off.

• Children should be instructed in proper behavior: a temple isnot a place for running, playing, or screaming.

• Small children should not be left unsupervised in the temple.

• Never point with your feet or sit with the soles of the feet facingbhikkhus, bhikkhunis, Buddha images, or shrines.Bowing and chanting are traditional, but are not required. Each person is free to practice according to his/her beliefs and under-standing; your only obligations are silence—when appropriate—and respectful conduct (as outlined elsewhere on this page).

• Please don’t burn excessive amounts of incense—some peoplehave breathing difficulties when too much smoke is in the air.

• Please be as quiet as possible when other people are meditating.If you need to leave for any reason, do so discreetly.

• When it is time for walking meditation, rise to your feet slowly andmindfully. Please wait until everyone is standing before moving to form a line on the right-hand side of the room.

• When walking meditation ends, return slowly to the spot where you were sitting, but please remain standing until everyone has returnedto their places. We will then sit down together.

• Bells, gongs, and drums are for use during services and festivals;please don’t play with them ‘just to see what they sound like.’

• A temple is a place for study, practice, and discussion of Dhamma;therefore, be mindful of your speech whenever you are here. Pleaserefrain from the use of profanity.