Tips for visiting monasteries & temples

Most monasteries and temples extend a warm welcome to foreign guests and in remote areas will often offer a place to stay for the night. Please maintain this good faith by observing the following courtesies:

1. Always circumambulate Buddhist monasteries and other religious objects clockwise, thus keeping shrines and chortens (stupas) to your right.

2. Don't take prayer flags or mani (prayer) stones.

3. Refrain from taking photos during a prayer meeting. At other times always ask permission to take photos, especially when using a flash. The larger monasteries charge photography fees, though some monks will allow you to take a quick picture for free. If they won't, there is no point getting angry; you don't know what pressures they may be under.

4. Don't wear shorts or short skirts in a monastery.

5. Take your hat off when you go into a chapel (though there is generally no need to remove your shoes).

6. Don't smoke in a monastery.

7. Be aware that women are generally not allowed in protector chapels; always ask before entering.