Expert: Laurie McLauglin - 10/7/2009

Question
Dear Laurie

What is the right way to pray when you are visiting a Buddhist Gompa or a monstary eg in places like Ladhak (India)

for example in Hinduism

we first go directly to the main idol and after praying we do a reveloution around the idol's chamber (clockwise) then proceed to other idols repeat the same processs and finally sit down at a quite place listening to the hyms and prayers performed by the priest.

How does this translate to Buddhism, I tend to get confused what to do when I see a big prayer wheel inside a small room 1)  Is it okay to go in if someone is already inside the room spinning the gaint wheel or should I wait for my turn ( am I supposed to take off my shoes incase I have not done so due to the chamber being located outside )

2)  Is it ok to sit on one of those long red clothed seats on the floor or is reserved for lama's

Presume you got the jest of my query

Thanks

Answer
Thank you for letting me answer your question.

Unfortunately, I may not be able to give you as complete an answer as you might wish.  I, myself have never been to India and right now I do not have access to ask anyone who has regarding totally correct protocol for the situations you ask about.

I live in America and although I follow a Tibetan Buddhist lineage, because I am in America, things get a bit lax. But I will try to answer your questions the best I can.

When we first enter a gompa, we prostrate three times. Generally we prostrate three times to all the Buddha and Bodhistattva statues as a whole and then sit down.  But I suppose it would be all right to prostrate to more than one image in gompa, if one wanted to.

Although it is said that it is good to circumambulate any holy object, generally we only circumambulate stupas and prayer wheels.

As far as I know, if someone is already circumambulating the prayer wheel, it is fine for someone else to do it at the same time, unless you can tell the person would rather be alone.

Any time one enters a gompa one takes off one's shoes.

I suspect from your description that the long red clothed seat is reserved for the monks or lamas. Usually one takes a cushion from a pile of cushions of if the cushions are already on the floor facing the teaching seat, it would be all right to sit there.  The exception is that you do not sit in the front row of cushions.  Those are always saved for the Sangha. If the cushions are on the side, (which usually is not done in our tradition), those are usually reserved for sangha as well.

I hope this gives you some clarity on your questions. I you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Take care - Laurie