Do’s and Don’ts -
Clothes – Although the climate in Dharamshala is cold mostly throughout the year, during summers it can be tempting to wear summer dresses or shorts. Ideally, one should be covered below the knees and should wear simple well-covering clothes as a basic respectful etiquette while visiting a monastery. Though not a rule, it is good to cover your shoulders and display a modest body language too while indie a monastery.
Clicking Pictures – Monasteries are both a place of worship and a tourist attraction, which makes it difficult to balance the nature of these two contrasting facets. While travelers are tempted to click the place or record the proceedings, it is prohibited in many parts of most monasteries, especially inside the main prayer hall so it is advisable not to click pictures inside the main worship hall of the monastery. Even if it is not explicitly instructed somewhere, one should be very mindful while indulging in photography and mustn’t disturb or disrespect monks or any religious rituals taking place inside the monastery. Always seek permission before clicking pictures wherever you are.
Respect – This general rule applies to every place of worship in the world. Show respect to monks especially when they are in prayer or a religious discourse by keeping silence and bowing to them with folded hands as this is their sacred place of worship.
Sensitivities of monks -
It is considered very rude to point your feet at any Buddhist, so while sitting near monks fold your feet and tuck them under your legs properly.
Abstinence is an important aspect of monks’ culture which prohibits them from directly contacting or touching women. Women visitors should keep this in mind and maintain a decent distance while interacting with any of the monks. Some monks do not even accept anything directly from women tourists. So while making an offering, it is best to request a male visitor or companion and hand it over to the monk.
While starting a conversation with a monk, it is respectful to sit at the same level as his don’t keep standing while a monk is sitting and start talking to him as it is considered very disrespectful.
Peace and serenity are all around you when you visit a monastery because the residents of the monastery, who are the monks, are either mostly busy with studying religious texts or performing rituals. Maintain a general posture of silence and modesty to avoid disrupting their work and lifestyle.
Our resort in Himachal Pradesh is in close proximity to many monasteries and is an ideal place where you can stay and rejuvenate yourself while visiting the monasteries during the day.
