Buddhist Temple Etiquette

Photo by Matt Carr https://pixabay.com/en/users/gerbilfarmer-1280023/

• Take off your shoes and hats before entering.
  There will almost always be a sign outside of the temple pointing visitors to the designated area for shoes and hats. The many pairs of visitors’ shoes clumped together will tip you off.
• Cover your shoulders.
  Since it gets very hot in Asian countries during the summer, many tourists forget to cover their shoulders and legs before entering places of worship. One way to plan ahead is to dress in layers and bring a scarf or shawl along, no matter where you go. When visiting temples, capri pants and long skirts are preferable to shorts, although men can sometimes get away with wearing long shorts.
• Stand when monks or nuns enter.
  Just as you would stand to greet someone in any formal setting, try to remember to stand up when a monk or nun enters the room.
• Ask permission before taking pictures.
  Make sure it’s okay to use your camera, especially when taking photographs inside a temple with statues. If you do take pictures, it’s always nice to leave a donation.
• Use your right hand.
  When handing a donation (or anything else) to a person, use your right hand.
• Don’t point.
  Instead, if you wish to point something out to a fellow traveller, use your right hand, open, with the palm facing the ceiling.
• Don’t touch Buddha statues.
  Remind your kids before entering not to touch or climb on top of the Buddha statues.
• Don’t touch Buddhist monks, especially if you are female.
  Women are not supposed to hand items to monks, either. Men who need to hand something to a monk, or take something from a monk, should try to use their right hands.
• Don’t turn your back to Buddha statues.
  You may notice people walking backward away from the Buddha. Follow their lead, turning around only when you are a few feet away from the statue.

original source: http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20110616-travelwise-religious-tourism-etiquette