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First Temple Visit!

JayjayJayjay Veteran
edited February 2012 in Buddhism Basics
I am soon to be attending my first visit to a Buddhist Temple. I hope to regularly visit soon enough. The problem is...I know nothing about temple. ANYTHING! Can someone can give me pointers, tips, information, schedule, anything I need to know before hand, ANY information or experiences? THANK YOU!!!! Have a good day!!(:

Comments

  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    edited February 2012
    @jayjay I'm sure practices can vary, so the best source of information would be the temple. If the temple practices Zen, then I can tell you to wear loose, plain, dark clothing without any distracting designs or pictures, and limit the jewelry and fragrances.

    Do they have a website with info? If not, just go a bit early and just talk to someone to let them know you are new and nervous about what to expect... everyone has had their first experience and will know exactly what your feeling.

    I recently had my first experience... my local sangha does a monthly orientation which was very helpful, and even on my first actual day I had people come up to me and ask if I was new and offered to help me, answered questions, and talked me through everything... I was relieved at how painless being a newbe was.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    Taking off your shoes at the door is pretty standard. Then I'd say take a seat towards the back of the room and just do what everyone else does. As Telly says too, just ask.
  • CinorjerCinorjer Veteran
    Good advice from all. Remember, they want you to feel comfortable and welcomed and know you're new and if not, please tell them it's your first visit and you're not sure what to do. They understand and will make sure you have a good experience, if they know what they're doing. If not, it's their fault, not yours.

  • JayjayJayjay Veteran
    Thank you guys very much! I'll be sure to go a separate day (seeing as I don't even know the day they have services[Speaking of that does anyone know what day services usually are?]) so I can get information on it all. Thanks to all!
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    @jayjay the one I mentioned is Sun 9-11, and Wed evening, with informal sitting (not timed) available every day, but the schedule changes if they are conducting a sesshin.... They normally keep the Sun morning though
  • JayjayJayjay Veteran
    Ok, thank you. Just curious. What exactly is a sesshin?
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Ok, thank you. Just curious. What exactly is a sesshin?
    Never attended one, but it sounds like a 3-8 day sleep over with some intense meditation and teaching.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    Ok, thank you. Just curious. What exactly is a sesshin?
    Never attended one, but it sounds like a 3-8 day sleep over with some intense meditation and teaching.
    There's usually a pillow fight and some popcorn with a scary movie too. ;)
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    Ok, thank you. Just curious. What exactly is a sesshin?
    "Sesshin" (a Zen retreat) means to collect the mind or collect the heart or collect the heartmind. Generally it runs over a weekend (or about 3 days) or for a week (seven days), though there can be significantly longer ones. The days are devoted to sitting meditation, walking meditation, chanting, Dharma talks, eating and sleeping. Spliced in are individual meetings (sanzen/dokusan) with the teacher at which a student presents his/her understanding and receives instruction. Occasionally as well, there may be a work period.

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