Why etiquette matters
Buddhist sacred sites are places of worship before they are attractions. People may be praying, chanting, meditating or grieving beside a visitor with a camera. The aim of pilgrimage etiquette is simple: to avoid disturbing other people’s devotion and to show respect for what the place means to them. Customs vary between countries, traditions and even individual temples, so treat this as general guidance, and follow local signs, staff and monastics wherever they differ.
Dress
Modest dress is expected at almost all sites. In practice, this usually means covering shoulders and knees, avoiding very tight or transparent clothing, and not wearing clothing with disrespectful imagery. A temple dress code may be stricter in some places and relaxed in others; some sites provide wraps to borrow or buy, and in some countries white clothing is customary for particular occasions. Hats are often removed inside. Lightweight long trousers or skirts and a scarf or shawl for the shoulders are a practical way to meet most requirements in hot climates.
Shoes and entry
Shoes are normally removed before entering a shrine hall, and often before stepping onto the platform around a stupa or pagoda. Look for a rack or a pile of shoes at the door. Socks are acceptable in many places, though in some they are not, and the ground can be extremely hot at midday or cold in the mountains, so be ready for that. Customs at the door, sometimes called temple entry customs, may also include stepping over rather than on a threshold, or lowering your voice as you enter. If you are unsure, watch what local worshippers do.
Posture and gestures
- Keep feet from pointing at Buddha images or monastics when sitting; tucking them to the side is common.
- Avoid pointing at statues. An open hand is more polite.
- Do not touch or climb on statues, stupas or offerings, and keep your head lower than a Buddha image where you can.
- Do not touch monks or nuns, and in many Theravada countries women should take particular care not to touch monks or hand them items directly. Ask what is expected.
- Speak quietly and turn phones to silent.
Walking clockwise
At stupas, shrines and sacred mountains, devotees often walk around the monument with the right shoulder towards it, which means moving clockwise. This is called circumambulation (a practice with its own name in each tradition), or pradakshina in the Indian tradition, and in Tibetan Buddhism it is often called a kora. Visitors can join, going the same way as everyone else and not stopping in the path. Followers of the Bon tradition in Tibet traditionally circle the other way, which is one reason to follow local practice instead of assuming. Prayer wheels are also normally turned clockwise.
Photography
Rules differ widely. Some sites allow photos in outdoor areas but not inside shrines, or charge a fee for cameras, and some forbid flash or any filming. Always look for signs and ask when in doubt. Do not photograph people at prayer, monks or nuns without their consent, and do not pose in ways that treat an image as a prop, such as turning your back to a Buddha statue for a selfie. Drones are often restricted or banned, so check the current rules rather than assuming.
Offerings and donations
Common offerings include flowers, incense, candles or butter lamps, and sometimes food or money. They are optional for visitors. If you take part, follow local practice: in some places, for example, incense sticks are lit in a certain number or offered with a particular gesture. Donation boxes are common, and giving is voluntary and personal. Vendors outside many sites sell offerings; you are free to decline politely. Do not remove items from shrines as souvenirs, and avoid putting money anywhere other than the places meant for it. Some offerings, such as the gold leaf used at some pagodas in Myanmar, are specific to a place.
Behaviour with monastics and other worshippers
Give way to monks and nuns, and do not interrupt chanting or ceremonies. If you are invited to join a ritual or a meal, follow the hosts’ lead and ask if something is unclear. Avoid public displays of affection, loud conversation, eating inside shrine halls, and the use of tobacco or alcohol on temple grounds. Do not treat people at worship as part of the display.
When customs vary
You may meet different expectations on the same trip. A Thai temple, a Japanese temple, a Tibetan monastery and a Sri Lankan sacred city each have their own conventions about dress, greeting and ritual. Some temples limit access for women to certain areas, or restrict entry at certain times; others have rules for visitors of all religions. These rules reflect local tradition and can change, so check current official sources, and respect decisions made by the temple.
A short checklist
- Dress modestly and carry something to cover shoulders and knees.
- Take off shoes and hats where expected.
- Walk clockwise around monuments.
- Ask before taking photographs.
- Offer only what you are comfortable offering.
- Keep voices low and move calmly.
- Follow the guidance of local people and signs.