5 essential principles you need to know when visiting temples and pagodas.
(Baonghean.vn) - According to Dr. Dinh Duc Tien, Department of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Buddhist world is a world of purity and serenity. Just by stepping through the triple gate, visitors enter a different world. No matter how agitated or chaotic their minds may be outside, they must maintain a pure and tranquil mind upon entering the Buddhist temple.
Therefore, those visiting temples should equip themselves with the following five principles when present at the sacred place:
1. Clothing
According to Buddhist beliefs, simplicity and reverence are paramount in sacred places of worship. Therefore, when visiting a Buddhist temple, you should choose clothing in modest colors. Avoid wearing short skirts, crop tops, dresses with slits, or cut-out outfits.
For Buddhists, it is necessary to wear ceremonial robes when visiting the Buddha shrine in the temple.
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| If possible, choose clothing in the same color tones as the robes Buddhist devotees usually wear to temples, which are brown and blue. (Image: Internet) |
2. Prepare offerings
When offering incense at temples, one should prepare vegetarian offerings such as incense, fresh flowers, ripe fruit, cakes, sticky rice, and sweet soup… Do not place meat offerings in the Buddha hall, which is the main hall and the primary place of worship in the temple.
It is not advisable to buy votive paper money or underworld currency to offer to Buddha at the temple. Real money should also not be placed on the altar in the main hall but should be put into the donation box.
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| Fresh flowers offered to Buddha include lotus, lily, peony, and jasmine... Photo: Internet |
3. Prayer
According to Buddhist beliefs, Buddha only bestows peace and protection upon his followers, not success, fame, wealth, or fortune. Therefore, when we pray at a Buddhist temple, we should ask for Buddha's protection and guidance. At shrines and temples, you can pray for good luck in your career, relationships, and so on.
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| Prayer is an expression of gratitude and remembrance towards ancestors, grandparents, parents, and relatives... an expression of love, care, and concern for one another, such as prayers for the deceased, prayers for peace, and repentance... Photo: internet |
4. Entry and exit rules
Temples and pagodas are sacred places; when entering them, one should walk softly and speak quietly.
When entering the temple through the triple-arched gate, one should enter through the False Gate (on the right) and exit through the Empty Gate (on the left). The Central Gate is reserved only for the Emperor, high-ranking monks, and scholars to enter and exit the temple.
Afterward, visitors can meet the abbot, because the temple is managed by the abbot; only with the abbot and monks can the temple be preserved and Buddhism be preserved, so when entering the temple, one must follow the rules.
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| When praying, one should not stand directly in front of the altar but rather slightly to one side. (Image: Internet) |
5. Principles of Addressing People
When addressing a monk, one should say "Amitabha Buddha," "Venerable Master," etc., and refer to oneself as "son/daughter." This form of address means that upon seeing a monk, one is reminded of Shakyamuni Buddha; by addressing him in this way, one is addressing the Buddha himself.
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| When addressing a monk, one should say "Amitabha Buddha," "Venerable Master," etc., and refer to oneself as "son/daughter." (Image: Internet) |
If the monk is your spiritual guide, then addressing him as "teacher" not only implies the meaning mentioned above but also signifies that he is your teacher of the Dharma. When speaking to a monk, one should always clasp their hands together in the shape of a lotus bud.
