Temple Protocol

When sitting on the floor, we usually sit with legs crossed, half-lotus or full-lotus position.

It is a sign of disrespect to have our feet pointed towards the shrine.

I remember reading a story in one of Grandmaster's books about a monk who was sleeping in the main hall of a temple. His feet were pointing towards the shrine when he slept and the abbot of the temple told him it was disrespectful to have his feet facing that direction. Then the monk exclaimed, "Which direction can I put my feet where the Buddha does not reside?" since the Buddha resides in the ten directions.

It has been my experience with the people in the temples of TBS that they are very forgiving of any little lapses in etiquette on my part. A lot of it is cultural difference, more than strictly being related to the temple. For example, I learned that, to most Asians, most Westerners talk too loud and touch too much. :) I was introduced to a Tibetan lama once and when I (naturally to me) reached out my hand to shake hands, a look came over his face a lot like panic. It isn't easy to make a lama lose his composure, but that did it.
It must have been like, for us, meeting someone for the first time and giving him or her a big kiss on the lips. :/
When there is a guest, the host goes out of his way to adapt to the guest and make him comfortable; at the same time the guest adapts to the ways of the host, so as to not intrude or make the host uncomfortable. But when the guest becomes part of the family, he is expected to abide by the family ways. When in Rome, do as they do in Rome. Westerners, particularly Amuurricuns, are not big on ritual, though. So fitting into a Tantric temple is not natural in the first place.
I've seen several, including myself sometimes, who prostrate three times, etc. when entering a shrine room, but only if someone is looking. Otherwise they just go sit down. Same with placing palms together when meeting someone. It feels really phony until you get used to it. Sorta like saluting in the military.

I agree with you all. I think that sometimes such protocols are for the purpose of easing the hearts of those around us by doing what is expected of those cultures. The Buddha's will never get offended if we point our feet at the shrine; it is only those around us who will (and maybe the dharma protectors). I also agree with Lyciss that the intention is the part that counts. However, that is the part which others cannot see. As well, I don't think it is healthy to be too strict and rigid with rules. They should be flexible.

Personally, I have been scolded at for pointing my feet towards the altar. I was sitting in meditation for a long time and my legs felt very cramped, so I decided to stretch my feet out. Prior to doing this, I had already read the story about the monk so I stretched my feet in the direction I was facing as a matter of convenience. Naturally, I was facing the shrine to do meditation. However, a dharma sister came and scolded me and told me not to do it again. I agreed to do so only because I knew that she and others would take it to offence. But inside, I don't really cling to it as a right or wrong action as long as I don't have bad intentions. It is just a matter of custom.

I can't really say what the others are doing, but I am visualizing the incense smoke and aroma going through all the worlds, and all the beings coming to participate, or at least observe and enjoy.
Something like the Incense Praise Song.
I wrote a poem one time about incense.

The incense is burning, becoming less
The ash is falling, becoming earth
The smoke rises, becoming air
The sweet smell lingers.

So it goes.

minor but important thing about incense.

after you lit the incense, you should NOT use mouth to blow away the fire. Your mouth has speech  karma, so you dont do.
use your hands or fan or whatever to blow it off

pay attention to masters or reverends next time, you will know what I am saying is true.



Mimosa