How to Prostrate in a Buddhist Temple

The style of bowing we use in this monastery is much the same as you will find it in many Buddhist, South-East Asian countires.

Begin by kneeling, facing toward the shrine - or whatever you are bowing to. The usual posture is to rest on the heels with the toes 'pointing' - as opposed to laying flat on the floor.


Raise the hands in the gesture of anjali.




The hands can then be raised to the forehead - either directly or in three stages: first to the heart centre, then the lips then the forhead. This three-fold gesture can be seen as bowing with body, speech and mind, the three 'doors' of action in the world.

The hands and head are then lowered toward the floor.



The final postition has five-points of the body in contact with the ground - the toes, knees, elbows, hands and fore-head. This is usually repeated three times in respect to the triple gem (three refuges).


The complete movement is done as fluidly and gracefully as possible. As an act of humility it is an offering which is made as beautiful as one can. When bending forward this is done from the hips, not the knees, to avoid the tendency for the backside to stick up in the air - not very elegant. The mind should be very centred in the body. There should also be a clear awareness of what one is bowing to. If one is part of a group then it is good to have a sense of the 'collective' bow - so everyone is not bobbing up and down like disfunctional yo-yos. As well as looking very pleasing bowing in unison also helps develop a sense of harmony in a group - a bit like chanting.