How do you greet a Buddhist monk?

For most monks, a simple greeting of putting your palms together near your chest in a prayer-like fashion and bowing your head slightly, eyes facing down, is sufficient.

Can I spend time in a Buddhist monastery?

While at a Buddhist Monastery, you can indulge in any of the acts of learning and sharing. You may join the monks at prayer, or you may learn about their traditions, beliefs, and culture. You can also meditate alongside the monks to get connected to peace and solitude.

What do you do in a Buddhist monastery?

Worship in the temple includes chanting the Three Refuges and Precepts and the scriptures , giving offerings in front of an image of the Buddha , lighting candles, burning incense , meditating and listening to sermons .

What is the purpose of a Buddhist temple?

A Buddhist temple or Buddhist monastery is the place of worship for Buddhists, the followers of Buddhism. They include the structures called vihara, chaitya, stupa, wat and pagoda in different regions and languages. Temples in Buddhism represent the pure land or pure environment of a Buddha.

Can I wear jeans to a Buddhist temple?

Shorts, T-shirts, tight pants/leggings, bare shoulders, and any overly casual clothing should be completely avoided. Loose fitting jeans are OK if you have a nice top/shirt, but not ideal.

Can you stay with Tibetan monks?

Strictly speaking, foreign tourists cannot stay inside a Tibet monastery, considering the safety issue and religious taboos. They can only spend a night in the guesthouse provided by the monastery.

Who is worshiped in Buddhism?

Public worship Most Buddhists do not believe in God. Although they respect and look up to the Buddha , they do not believe he was a god but they worship him as a form of respect. By doing this they show reverence and devotion to the Buddha and to bodhisattas .

How to visit Tibetan monasteries?

Tibet’s monasteries and palaces are usually built on mountains, so there will be many steps to climb if you visit them. Tibetan pilgrims count some mountains and lakes as sacred. Mountainside temples are seen as closer to heaven, and they are easy to defend. Potala Palace and Tashilunpo Monasteryare the famous monasteries on hillside.

What do you wear to a Tibetan monastery?

The top of the head is a holy part of the body, according to Tibetan custom, so to show your respect for the Buddhas inside the monastery hats and sunglasses should be removed before entering. Some chapels will require you to remove your shoes too, but this is less common.

Which direction should you walk when visiting a monastery?

Bon and Buddhism share many holy sites and practices, but a visual distinction between the two can be made depending which direction their followers walk. When inside a monastery, you should always visit the rooms in a clockwise direction, starting to the left each time.

How many days do you need to visit Lhasa monastery?

The monastery can be visited on the 4-day tour of the city of Lhasa, or as part of a longer tour. Our stunning the 5-day Shoton Festival Experience Tour gives you the unique opportunity to sit before the 26-meter gold Maitreya Buddha during one of the most important festival times in Tibet.