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 Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:25 am
Well I was thinking of a going to a temple down the street next week and talk to a monk there.
-What should I know before I go?
-A Monk is the correct term for the people who teach there right?
-What are some main points I should ask him about?
Anything else I should know before going, and didn't ask for, would be greatly appreciated.
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:04 am
There are a few points of etiquette you should know about.
1) Never sit higher than a monk or priest. (i.e. If they sit on the floor, don't sit on a chair. Or if they sit on a chair, sit on a chair or on the floor.)
2) Monks are students, this is universal, but each sect has different kinds of priests. There are various kinds, but you may want to look those up on your own. If you are unsure what to call the priest you are speaking to, you could probably refer to him as "Honorable (insert name)" or even just by their first name. We Buddhists are pretty laid back to the lay community.
3) MAKE SURE YOU TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF WHEN YOU ENTER!! If they are not wearing shoes, that is a BIG sign that yours should be removed too. If you would feel more comfortable, ask them if you should remove your shoes. That's what I did when I visited the Dharma Center in Ohio. "Should I take my shoes off?" "Yes. Please."
4) When you come across their statue of Buddha, bow to it. We always show respect for our universal teacher.
5) Try not to interrupt them. It's just a respect thing.
6) If you're feeling extra respecty, bow to any monks you may make eye contact with. It's a show of acknowledgment.
Any more questions, feel free to PM me.
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:24 am
Oh, one more important thing: Don't touch the monk/nun of the opposite sex from you. While shaking hands is a sign of respect in North American culture, they prefer if you don't make contact with them, and instead bow. It helps them keep their vows. This is especially true of Theravadans, but may also extend to other branches as well. Safest to ask, if you're unsure, or don't do it at all. 3nodding
Also, don't point the soles of your feet at a monk, nun or Buddha statue. It's a sign of disrespect in general in Asian culture.
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:46 pm
Best to find out which sect runs the temple. Different strokes, for different folks.
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 6:52 am
huh. smile glad to know that most of this was taught to me before i stopped going to Karate classes. actually, it seems that my Sensei's dojo incorporated alot of traditional Zen Buddhist rituals and etiquette. 9.9
anywho, i still feel the better off for reading this. ^_^
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Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 4:45 pm
Byaggha Oh, one more important thing: Don't touch the monk/nun of the opposite sex from you. While shaking hands is a sign of respect in North American culture, they prefer if you don't make contact with them, and instead bow. It helps them keep their vows. This is especially true of Theravadans, but may also extend to other branches as well. Safest to ask, if you're unsure, or don't do it at all. 3nodding Also, don't point the soles of your feet at a monk, nun or Buddha statue. It's a sign of disrespect in general in Asian culture.
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Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:52 pm
Sennybell Hmm. I was totally aware not to really make physical contact, and I've just been bowing to them this whole time. But it's strange, because I have a friend who is a Tibetan monk, he is my teacher in learning Tibetan. I've seen him in his robes and everything, so I know that he is, indeed, a fully-realized monk. But it seems he likes physical contact a lot, 'cause he always hugs me when the lesson is over, hahaha! Trust me, it's not me. xd I try to respect them and just bow, but this guy wants hugs instead. Do you think this is bad for him to doing? Is he disrespecting his own vows? Might not be. As I said, it happens to be the case most for Theravadans. Tibetan Buddhism is a whole other beast, and their monks may have different/altered vows. 3nodding
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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 5:38 pm
Byaggha Sennybell Hmm. I was totally aware not to really make physical contact, and I've just been bowing to them this whole time. But it's strange, because I have a friend who is a Tibetan monk, he is my teacher in learning Tibetan. I've seen him in his robes and everything, so I know that he is, indeed, a fully-realized monk. But it seems he likes physical contact a lot, 'cause he always hugs me when the lesson is over, hahaha! Trust me, it's not me. xd I try to respect them and just bow, but this guy wants hugs instead. Do you think this is bad for him to doing? Is he disrespecting his own vows? Might not be. As I said, it happens to be the case most for Theravadans. Tibetan Buddhism is a whole other beast, and their monks may have different/altered vows. 3nodding
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