The general idea
Across much of the Buddhist world, entering a temple means leaving the outside behind: dirty footwear, headwear and hurried habits. These customs are expressions of respect for the Buddha image and the people who care for the space, and they are also practical, since many halls have clean floors where people sit and bow. How strictly each rule is followed depends on the country, the tradition and the individual building, so the guidance below is general.
Shoes
Remove shoes before entering a shrine hall. This is the most widely observed rule. Look for shoe racks, a pile of footwear or a sign by the door. In Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Japan and Korea, shoes are normally removed before stepping onto a temple floor, though the exact line varies.
Some points to note:
- The boundary can be outside the hall. In many Theravada sites, including large stupa platforms, shoes are removed at the edge of the whole platform, not just at the door of a building. At Myanmar pagodas, for instance, visitors usually go barefoot on the platform, and the Shwedagon platform walk is done without footwear.
- Socks are often allowed, but not always. In some places both shoes and socks are expected to come off.
- Hot stone is real. Midday sun can heat paving to uncomfortable levels, so plan visits for morning or evening, or ask about cloth paths.
- Put your shoes neatly to the side, not blocking the doorway. Many temples have staff to watch footwear, and a small tip may be customary in some places.
- Choose slip-on footwear to make removal easy, and avoid anything with complicated laces.
- Check for slippers. Some Japanese temples provide indoor slippers, which are worn in some corridors and removed again for tatami rooms.
If you have a health condition or mobility issue that makes going barefoot difficult, ask staff what is possible. Many temples have accommodations.
Thresholds
In many Buddhist cultures, and in some Chinese and Japanese temples especially, there is a raised sill at the door. A common custom is to step over it, not on it. The threshold is seen as a boundary of the sacred space, and in some traditions it is thought to be where a guardian or the spirit of the building resides. Take care also not to trip, as the step can be high. You may see local worshippers step in with the right foot first, but this varies, and visitors need not follow exactly.
Hats, caps and sunglasses
Take off hats, caps and sunglasses when entering a shrine hall. Headwear is regarded as disrespectful in many places, and the head is considered the highest part of the body in some cultures. Religious head coverings are a different matter, and the guidance on what to wear, including scarves, is in our dress article. Umbrellas should be closed and not held over statues or people.
Where to step and walk
- Avoid walking directly in front of the main Buddha image or between the image and someone praying. Pass behind or to the side.
- Do not step on the offering table, altar platform or cushions meant for monks or devotees.
- Walk quietly and avoid sudden movements.
- Observe direction. In some stupa settings and in Tibetan Buddhist sites, people walk clockwise around the structure, a topic covered under circumambulation practice.
- Follow roped-off paths. Some areas are closed to protect murals or floors.
Sitting and bowing
If you enter a hall, sit away from the image if you can, with your feet tucked to one side and not pointing at the altar. Visitors are not required to prostrate or bow, but many do a small bow with palms together. If a service is underway, stay at the back or the side and be still. Our article on visiting during ceremonies and festivals covers this further.
Other entry customs to expect
- Hand or mouth washing. In Japan, a water basin near the gate is used for rinsing hands, and some temples have other purification points.
- Entry through side doors. At some temples, a central door is reserved for special occasions or for monks.
- Bag checks and fees. Some sites, especially heritage-listed ones, have security and ticketing. Check current official information.
- Phones. Silence them before you enter.
- Food and drink. Eating inside shrine halls is generally not done.
Variation to keep in mind
Some temples that have become mostly tourist attractions relax these rules, while small village temples may be stricter. Newer halls or museums attached to a temple may allow shoes. A sign or a staff member should be your guide. If you cannot find one, watch local visitors, and when unsure, remove your shoes and behave quietly. Following these small customs shows that you understand you are entering someone’s place of worship.