Etiquette
Participants are asked to follow certain rules of etiquette, all of which will generally be familiar to Burmese and many of those from other Asian Buddhist ethnicities, but many of which will seem strange to Western visitors on first encounter. These are for the most part traditional expressions of traditional veneration of the Buddha (represented by Buddha images), the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings, represented in scripture) and the Sangha (the monastic community that has upheld the teachings for one hundred generations).
- Before entering the monastery buildings you should remove your shoes and leave them by the door.
- One should not touch a monk, even in greeting. The proper way to greet an monk is by joining your hands in front of your chest, or, more formally, by making a triple bow, placing your forehead on the floor.
- While in a shrine room, avoid unnecessary talking, and do not stand or sit with you back towards the Buddha image. Most formally you may make a triple bow to the Buddha and to each monk present on entering a shrine room and again on leaving.
- While seated, do not point the bottoms of your feet toward an image of the Buddha or toward a monk. In Asia this is regarded as particualarly rude.
- Please treat Dharma books carefully and respectfully, including chant books. Don't leave them on the floor.
- Due to requirements of the monastic rule which the monks follow, the monks should avoid being alone in closed rooms with female visitors. If you are female, and would like to speak with a monk, please do so in an open area, or in the company of other people.
- The monks as a rule do not eat after noon. It is improper to offer them food after noon, but liquids may be offered anytime.
- Monks may also not eat at the same table with lay people. If a meal is being offered, allow the monks to eat first, and then enjoy the food with the other lay people afterwards.
- When offering material things to a monk (food, medicine, clothing, etc.), please hold the offering with both hands while handing it to him in a very deliberate way. One should not stand looming over a monk but rather approach him at the same level at which they are sitting
- If you wish to offer money a monk, please ask the monk if he is willing to accept a donation. If he is not, then ask him if there is a layperson who can accept a donation on his behalf. Please place the offering in an envelope before offering it to a monk. Envelopes are available.
- If wish to offer the money to the temple, it may be offered to the treasurer, put into a donation box, or given to a resident monk in the way just described. In the latter case, please specify by writing on the envelope what the offering is for.
- The Pali term "Bhante" or English "Venerable" may be used to address a monk, otherwise the Burmese "Ashin Phaya" or for senior monks "Sayadaw."
Thank you very much for your kindness and cooperation.