Visiting your local Buddhist temple is an opportunity to begin to build understanding and friendships with your local Buddhist community. It is also an opportunity to mobilize others to love their Buddhist neighbors. Below are some things to consider as you plan a visit to your local Buddhist temple.
Research Buddhist Temples in your area to set up a visit
Google “Buddhist Temples” in your area.
Contact them through their website or Facebook page to set up a visit.
Buddhist temples don’t have regular office hours during the week like a church does. Someone may need to go to the temple to talk to a monk or someone on the temple grounds to set up a tour.
Buddhist temples also do not have regular “service/worship” times during the week. A visit to the temple will most likely be led by a monk or an elder from the community unless you attend at a time when there is a ceremony taking place.
Wear modest clothing
Both men and women should wear modest clothing.
Men should wear long pants and no tank tops.
Women should wear loose fitting pants or a long skirt. No tank tops.
When you set up the temple visit ask them what men and women should wear.
Show respect by following some temple etiquette
Remove shoes and hats when entering the temple. There will be a designated place to put your shoes while in the temple. Both socks or bare feet are fine.
When pointing, avoid pointing with your finger but use your whole hand.
Never point your feet toward a buddhist statue or any other items or people in the temple.
When sitting be sure you are not pointing your feet toward anyone.
Avoid passing between two people talking. If there are many people at the temple that day and it is unavoidable, be sure you attempt to bend lower than the two who are talking.
Be respectful to the monks
Each temple has a monastery on the grounds where theeat monks live.
Monks are very friendly so don’t be afraid to interact with them.
Most monks at temples in the US have come here from Asia to serve in the temple so they may have limited English, but not always.
Monks don’t eat after noon so be mindful about eating snacks or food around them. If there is a festival at the temple where they are eating, the monks will be served first.
Don’t be afraid to eat food at a temple festival.
In the temple people will sit on the floor while ceremonies are happening. The monks will always have seats placing them higher than the people in the temple.
If a monk is sitting, take a seat near him if possible before starting a conversation.
Ask before taking photos in the temple or taking photos of the monks.
Don’t shake hands with the monks. Women should never touch a monk or hand anything to him directly
Visiting your local Buddhist Temple is an opportunity to begin to build understanding and friendships with the Buddhist community.
Learn about Buddhism
Feel free to ask questions of the monk or the elder who is giving you the tour.
This is a time to learn about Buddhism and get to know Buddhists in your city.
It is a time for initiating friendships not a time to argue.
Buddhist believe all religions are good so there is no need to convert each other.
Debrief and Prayer
Meet together as a group after your visit to debrief your experience and pray for those you met and for other Buddhist unreached people groups. You can debrief your time with the following discussion points.
Discuss how you were affected by what you saw and heard today. Explain.
Fill out the Biblical worldview and Buddhhist worldview chart below based on what you learned today. Discuss the Buddhist worldview as a group.
Discuss strategies for presenting the gospel to a Buddhist.
Pray with new insight for Buddhist unreached people groups. You can pray for Buddhist unreached people group cards at Joshua Project or by watching this Prayercast video.
Follow up your visit
After your chat with the monk or elder from the community you may want to ask if you could visit again and bring others to visit.
This meeting is an opportunity to begin building understanding and friendships with the Buddhist community.
It is also an opportunity to visit again to mobilize others to love their Buddhist neighbors.
