Temple etiquette

As with other houses of prayer, one ought always be considerate and regardful. It’s frequently unnoticed that temples in Thailand are not just artful and bidding a beneficial photo chance. Most are still in ‘use’. Just conceive whenever you take part in a spiritual serve at home, and some bunch of holidaymakers would enter your church, starting to take pictures of all statues and even your fine self!
While using good sense goes a long way, there are maybe some particular sensibilities you need to know about when traveling to Thai temples :
Dress the right way. Clothing ought cover shoulders and knees. Short skirts are not tolerated. Some well traveled to locates have ‘covering clothing’ for hire for those who would like to enter the temple compound.
You must take off your shoes before coming in the temples. One can circumambulate wearing shoes in the compount itself though. In general people just leave their footgear at the entrance or stairs, but if you just happen to have bought the latest expensive pair of Nike athletic wear, perhaps you ought take it with you inside.
When seating in the wat, don’t direct you feet toward the communion table or Buddha images. As a note, you ought understand that feet are considered the ‘most dispirited’ part of the body, and you ought likewise void pointing them to other people.
Women ought never reach for monks! Don’t give out something to them straightaway. Just use an mediator, or place an item on a board.
Don’t go around touching or making fun in front of Buddha images.
Be thoughtful when taking pictures. Applying telelenses could be accepted when snapping believers.

-The International Buddhist Meditation center. Wat Mahathat, 3 Maharat Road, Phraborommaharatchawang, tel. 2623-6325 [24]. Meditation classes in English are held at 7-10AM, 1-4PM and 6-8PM everyday in section 5 of the temple. Attendance is gratis, but contributions are welcome.
Getting there: Take the river taxi to Chang Pier (between Silpakorn University and the Thammasat University). From there the centre is a short walk.

photo credit: Akuppa

-The World Fellowship of Buddhists. 2nd Floor, No.616 Benjasiri Park, Soi Medhinivet (off Soi Sukhumvit 24), tel:2661-1284(-90) [25]. Offers meditation classes in English from 2 to 5:30PM on the first Sunday of every month. The office also provides information on places to learn and practice meditation in Thailand. Classes and information are both free.