Bowing to people that you respect that is not buddhist

fltnr1

Many times I am compelled to bow to certain people I respect.I am not as concerned about what others may think as I am wanting to know is this the buddhist way?

Talisman

Easterners bow and it used to be more common for people to bow to one-another in ancient times. I read that the custom of shaking hands originated as a way for people to prove that they were not holding any weapons when they met. Bowing involves a stronger sense of trust between both parties and more properly conveys one's reverence for another.

I wouldn't do it to someone who isn't accustomed to the tradition, however. It may be considered outlandish or strange and instead of being flattering or respectful it may be offputting for the other party. Which would defeat the purpose.

Yishai

There is no "buddhist way" of greeting people. A handshake, a bow, a hello, whatever. It's important to know the background of the person and the meaning of the different greetings. Sometimes I simply nod as a hello. You could always just do a handshake and a quick, little, head-bow (nod). That's what I usually do to those who are my superiors.

aura

Although I am not ethnically Asian and Buddhist by birth, I grew up with ethnically Asian childhood friends, many of whom were devout Buddhists by birth. As everybody in the entire neighborhood either bowed or high 5'd (smacking hands together) where I came from, I had to make a real effort to learn the proper business handshake, and never got it quite right until I was nearly 30. Bowing is a cultural thing, not a specifically Buddhist thing, and is the norm for Asian Buddhists. To this day, I still vastly prefer bowing and bow habitually. Shaking hands still feels awkward and foreign to me and not nearly as pleasant.

GuyC

As long as you are not a monk or nun (who have rules prohibiting them from bowing to lay people) then you can bow to whoever you want.

fltnr1

Thanks alot for the feed back.Your comments have been very helpful and insightful.

vixthenomad

I usually have the compulsion to bow to the universe after I meditate. And I have a martial arts background, which was very heavy on the bowing. Mostly though it's a hello, or a nod of the head as described by Yishai. Although the handshake is the most common way of being introduced in my country (England), I find it a bit uncomfortable.