How to Visit a Buddhist Temple

The oldest Buddhist temples were built thousands of years ago.

Visiting a Buddhist temple is a spiritually enriching experience whether you're visiting an ancient temple in Thailand or the Buddhist temple two towns away from your home. The historical and cultural significance of Buddhist temples in East Asia makes them tourist attractions, but this doesn't change their religious purpose. As when visiting any house of worship, respect, reverence and self-awareness allow you to enjoy richness of the experience without disrupting or offending other worshipers.

Things You'll Need

• Clean socks

Instructions

1. Call ahead of time or check the event calendar on the temple's website. You don't want to rudely interrupt by entering in the middle of a solemn service or a scheduled meditation. Major Buddhist temples have extensive websites that provide the dates and times of important events.

2. Wear clean socks. Devotees and visitors remove their shoes before entering a temple. Buddhists consider entering a temple in bare feet highly offensive and dirty, so wear clean socks inside your sandals or sneakers.

3. Dress modestly. As a visitor in the temple, your appearance is subject to scrutiny. Men and women should wear clean, comfortable clothing that is not revealing, torn, skin-tight or low-cut. Women should wear long skirts or dresses that cover well past their knees and long-sleeved shirts or elbow-length sleeves with high necklines. Neither gender should wear black clothing inside a Buddhist temple.

4. Offer prayer. Prayer procedures differ between Buddhist sects and regions so research before visiting whether you should bring coins, incense or another type of offering for the temple.

5. Speak very softly. Displaying decorum and serenity inside a Buddhist temple shows respect and reverence for the people and their religion. Some ceremonies require complete silence, while others involve communal chanting. Familiarize yourself with the type of service you'll attend beforehand so you can properly participate.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the most from your experience by visiting a Buddhist temple with a knowledgeable friend or a member of the local community who can explain the meaning behind the ceremonies and decor.

• Stick to the etiquette rules regardless of how other visitors, or even community members, behave. Respectful behavior and reverence never offends or hurts.

References

• Lakeland Schools: Buddhist Temple Guide
• Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple: Temple Etiquette
• Living Darma: FAQ
• Siam Foundation: What to Wear When Visiting Buddhist Temples or Monks