Temple Etiquette and What to Wear
Simple things to know when visiting a Thai temple: what to wear, taking off shoes, how to sit, phones and photos, and how to make a donation properly.
-
1
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees
Wear a top with sleeves that is not tight or see-through, and trousers or a skirt that cover the knees. Avoid strappy tops, crop tops, shorts and clothes with inappropriate prints or slogans. Busy temples often lend sarongs or shawls; if you forgot, just ask the staff.
-
2
Take off your shoes before going in
Remove your shoes before entering the ordination hall (ubosot), the vihāra, the preaching hall (sala) or a monk's residence; follow the signs or the shoes others have left. Line them up neatly outside the steps, and step over the door threshold rather than on it. Clean socks are fine, and slip-on shoes make it easier.
-
3
Pay respect to the main Buddha image
Inside the ordination hall or vihāra, walk quietly, sit down and bow three times to the main Buddha image. If you are not used to bowing, a wai with a slight bow of the head is fine, and visitors of other faiths show respect simply by sitting quietly. See the guides 'The Five-Point Prostration' and 'How to Pay Respect with a Wai'.
-
4
Sit with your feet tucked away
Sit in the phap phiap posture, legs folded to one side with the soles pointing behind you. Don't stretch your legs out or point your feet towards Buddha images or monks. If you get stiff, switch sides or use a chair if the temple provides one. Don't sit higher than the monks, and never climb on, lean on or touch the head of a Buddha image.
-
5
Silence your phone and speak softly
Put your phone on silent or vibrate before entering the temple grounds. Speak quietly, avoid loud laughter, and don't play music or videos with sound. Step outside the building to take a call, and keep small children close so they don't run around inside the halls.
-
6
Take photos respectfully
Check the signs to see whether photos are allowed, and don't use flash indoors. Don't photograph monks or people praying close up without asking, don't strike joking poses, don't climb or sit on an image's base, and avoid careless selfies with your back to a Buddha image. Put the camera away during ceremonies.
-
7
Mind physical contact with monks
Monks do not have physical contact with women, so women should not hand things directly to a monk; place them on the receiving cloth he lays out, or ask a man to offer them. Don't squeeze in next to a monk on transport or in tight spaces, and no one should touch a monk or his robes.
-
8
Make donations the proper way
Put money in the donation box or give it at the temple office, which usually issues a receipt (anumodana certificate). Don't hand money straight into a monk's hands; if you wish to offer funds, put them in an envelope with the other offerings, or offer a pavāraṇā slip so the temple's lay steward can look after it. Be wary of people collecting in a temple's name outside the grounds or online, and check with the temple first.