What do Buddhists sit on in a Buddhist temple?
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There are as many forms of Buddhist worship as there are schools of Buddhism - and there are many of those. Worshippers may sit on the floor barefoot facing an image of Buddha and chanting. They will listen to monks chanting from religious texts, perhaps accompanied by instruments, and take part in prayers.
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As you point out, methods will differ. The good news is that most temples and Buddhist centers will provide visitors and beginners with instructions. I am speaking as someone who leads a meditation center from my home and visits Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Zen Centers often over the last four decades. Here are some basic guides to help.
Don’t worry
Buddhist folks are nice; it’s part of what we do. And Buddhist temples and meditation centers are places of learning, so we don’t criticize people for not knowing things.
I give a lot of detail here to help you feel comfortable, but don’t worry about making a mistake. Even is you do something off-target, we will let you know quietly and gently.
A few things not to do
There are some gestures that would imply disrespect. Please try to avoid these:
Arrive early. Often, one cannot enter after meditation or prayer has begun.Attending to any distractions. Leave your cell phone outside or put it in Do Not Disturb mode.Please, no side conversations or chatter. In general, silence is best. If you need assistance, signal a group leader or helper or wait to question time, if you can.Do not point your feet towards the Buddha. Guidelines on shoes or barefoot in the temple vary, but never sit with your legs extended and your feet pointing towards the Buddha.Do not touch the altar unless instructed to do so.Do not touch people unless invited to do so.
Good things to do in general
Even though customs vary, here are some consistent points.
Dress conservatively, in ways that don’t draw attention to yourself. Plain colors, covered to shoulder and knee, and no writing on your clothing is best.Be symmetrical. Sit or stand without twisting your body, and face the altar or whatever direction you are set. Some places line seating in rows facing the altar or teacher, others in a square or circle facing inwards, others, we face the wall.Lower the gaze if you are uncertain of what to do.Hands placed palms together and a small bow is always a good choice. Do not feel a bow is a sign of you being lower. It is a recognition of the Awakened quality in the person you are bowing to, and in yourself as well.If a bell sounds, pause, stand or sit upright, breathe and relax with attention to your breath.
Temples and Meditation Centers
If you look up the name of the place you are visiting, and it is called a temple, it can be appropriate to think in terms of homage and prayer. You might also bring a gift, such as a fruit basket.
If you see the name “meditation center” or “Zen center,” then think more of meditation than prayer. No gift is needed, but a small financial donation is always appreciated and put to good use, often to help pay the rent.
These photos will help
A teacher greeting visitors at a Buddhist temple (probably Thai)
Don’t worry
Buddhist folks are nice; it’s part of what we do. And Buddhist temples and meditation centers are places of learning, so we don’t criticize people for not knowing things.
I give a lot of detail here to help you feel comfortable, but don’t worry about making a mistake. Even is you do something off-target, we will let you know quietly and gently.
A few things not to do
There are some gestures that would imply disrespect. Please try to avoid these:
Arrive early. Often, one cannot enter after meditation or prayer has begun.Attending to any distractions. Leave your cell phone outside or put it in Do Not Disturb mode.Please, no side conversations or chatter. In general, silence is best. If you need assistance, signal a group leader or helper or wait to question time, if you can.Do not point your feet towards the Buddha. Guidelines on shoes or barefoot in the temple vary, but never sit with your legs extended and your feet pointing towards the Buddha.Do not touch the altar unless instructed to do so.Do not touch people unless invited to do so.
Good things to do in general
Even though customs vary, here are some consistent points.
Dress conservatively, in ways that don’t draw attention to yourself. Plain colors, covered to shoulder and knee, and no writing on your clothing is best.Be symmetrical. Sit or stand without twisting your body, and face the altar or whatever direction you are set. Some places line seating in rows facing the altar or teacher, others in a square or circle facing inwards, others, we face the wall.Lower the gaze if you are uncertain of what to do.Hands placed palms together and a small bow is always a good choice. Do not feel a bow is a sign of you being lower. It is a recognition of the Awakened quality in the person you are bowing to, and in yourself as well.If a bell sounds, pause, stand or sit upright, breathe and relax with attention to your breath.
Temples and Meditation Centers
If you look up the name of the place you are visiting, and it is called a temple, it can be appropriate to think in terms of homage and prayer. You might also bring a gift, such as a fruit basket.
If you see the name “meditation center” or “Zen center,” then think more of meditation than prayer. No gift is needed, but a small financial donation is always appreciated and put to good use, often to help pay the rent.
These photos will help
A teacher greeting visitors at a Buddhist temple (probably Thai)
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