Monastics in the Theravada tradition have chosen a way of
life that may seem different to most westerners not accustomed to it. A few
simple guidelines are all that are needed to help you feel comfortable in
supporting their practice.
The most commonly used expression of body language in
the monastery is the añjali. The hands are held palm-to-palm in front of
the heart and are sometimes raised to the lowered forehead. It is a gesture of
respect that can be used as a greeting, a goodbye, a thank-you or when speaking
with one of the monastics. It is sometimes accompanied by a slight bow. Nuns
and monks can have no physical contact with anyone of the opposite sex. This
includes shaking hands so the añjali is used instead.
The traditional way of paying respect to a shrine or to a senior monk is to
bow. This is done kneeling and sitting firmly on the heels. Bow forward,
putting the hands six inches apart and the elbows directly in front of the
knees. Touch the forehead to the floor between the hands. Bow three times,
mentally reciting "Buddho" on the first bow, "Dhammo" on
the second bow, and "Sangho" on the third. In the monastery we pay
respect to the shrine when entering or leaving the meditation hall and to the
senior monk at the end of the morning and evening meditations.
During meditation and dharma talk, it is traditionally considered impolite to
point one's feet at either at the monks and nuns or statues of the Buddha.
Also, lying down or stretching out is considered inappropriate in the
meditation hall. While sitting, care should be taken to move and shift
positions quietly. It is also traditional to remove head coverings unless
required for medical reasons.
As alms-mendicants, monastics are prohibited from engaging in activities that
could provide for their own material livelihood. This includes handling money,
cultivating crops, and working the land or storing food. As a result everything
that accrues to the monastic community is the result of an offering from a generous
person. Anything a monastic consumes, except water, must actually be offered to
them directly. They cannot help themselves to food unless it has been given to
them. They also take no food after mid-day.
In addressing a monk or nun, it is considered impolite to refer to them
directly by name without an appropriate form of address. Any monastic of more
than ten years standing is usually addressed as "Ajahn", which comes
from the Thai and means "teacher".