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First visit to a temple, a question

searching4peacesearching4peace
edited June 2010 in Buddhism Basics
As I have mentioned, I am new to buddhism. I have never been to a temple, but there is one fairly close to me that I am interested in going to. What has stopped me is the fact that i do not understand any "etiquette" to attending. I made it as far as entering one day and talking to someone about any services and the times etc. They gave me a schedule and of course said we are welcome anytime. The man i spoke with did say that their dharma talks and such are in veitnamese (pretty sure he said veitnamese) but that if one does not speak this language, they provide a translator to sit next to you and, well, translate. :)

I am just a little intimidated, as I'm never entirely comfortable in unknown situations and would hate to feel like i was making some huge gaffe or such. Is there anything I need to know about etiquette in a buddhist temple? Do I just show up and hope they teach me what is expected?

Thanks. :)

Comments

  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited June 2010
    "Do I just show up and hope they teach me what is expected?"

    Yes. They will. If you take a money offering, put it in an envelope. Flowers are nice, and they might lighten up the situation, if it even needs lightening up. Remember to ask when and where to take off your shoes. Otherwise they really should gladly teach you whatever you need to know.
  • searching4peacesearching4peace
    edited June 2010
    Please forgive my stupidity, but how much money would be appropriate? And who would I give it to? And flowers.. must i bring a vase as well, or just the flowers?

    Yes, like I said, I'm a newbie. :D Thanks for your patience.
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited June 2010
    I would say no more that $20 for a first-time visit. Probably as little as $5. Best to avoid giving it to the Master or whoever, but if you have to give it to the Master, then ok, but that's why I mentioned the envelope, because strictly speaking they're probably not allowed to actually touch money because of bhikku vows. Places like that usually have enough flower-vases around, but I can only say what I would do, and that would be to avoid anything that might look ostentatious.

    I can really only say what I myself would do. Maximum of $20, probably $10, in an envelope, given to the first appropriate temple staff person you see (you might have to tell us about this place), and no vase with the flowers. I would go with an assortment of flowers, nothing fancy.
  • searching4peacesearching4peace
    edited June 2010
    I appreciate you taking the time to help me. May i just ask, what would i say when I hand this over? That I am new and unsure of what to do next? :)

    And this is a common practice in a buddhist temple, to bring a money offering at each visit?

    And I cannot belive i am going to ask this but.. how would i know if it were a master or not? *blush*

    I'm not kidding when i say i am new, or never been to a temple. :)
  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited June 2010
    searching4peace wrote: »
    What has stopped me is the fact that i do not understand any "etiquette" to attending.
    Hi

    There are two important etiquettes.

    The first and most important is to visit with trust.

    The second, whilst less important, is to dress normally but with some modesty, such as long skirt, loose trousers, normal shirt, etc.
    ...of course said we are welcome anytime.
    Indeed they did.

    2sbu33p.gif
    I am just a little intimidated, as I'm never entirely comfortable in unknown situations and would hate to feel like i was making some huge gaffe or such.
    Be at ease friend. Attend with trust. Just act normal and follow what everyone is doing.
    Is there anything I need to know about etiquette in a buddhist temple?
    No. Apart from 'be at ease'.
    Do I just show up and hope they teach me what is expected?
    Yes.

    Please enjoy yourself and please report back to us your experience.

    Kind regards

    :smilec:
  • searching4peacesearching4peace
    edited June 2010
    Thank you, Dhamma Dhatu :)
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited June 2010
    searching4peace wrote: »
    I appreciate you taking the time to help me. May i just ask, what would i say when I hand this over? That I am new and unsure of what to do next? :)

    And this is a common practice in a buddhist temple, to bring a money offering at each visit?

    And I cannot belive i am going to ask this but.. how would i know if it were a master or not? *blush*

    I'm not kidding when i say i am new, or never been to a temple. :)

    No need to say anything at all when you hand the things over. Flowers are obviously flowers and an envelope is most often a cash offering. And a money offering is usually just the one time, and actually not obligatory at all. The flowers themselves would do, as a nice touch, but a money offering is by no means obligatory. They do of course have to pay for rent and food and so forth.

    If this is just a drop-in thing at some sort of community activity, neither is obligatory under any particular "rules of etiquette"- these are more first-time-with-the-master sorts of things. Flowers is a first-time thing too. Sorry I misunderstood.

    Just watch what everyone else does, mostly where they put their shoes, how they sit, and so forth. It won't hurt to say quietly to someone else "I'm new to this- what do I do?"

    Hope it goes well. It should.
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