What are Buddhist temples? What rules should be observed by those who find themselves inside this religious building? Such questions, first of all, are of interest to those who are going to visit Thailand for the first time. The religion of this country - Theravada Buddhism - finds a distinct expression in all spheres of life. The Buddha's teaching was strengthened in these lands more than one and a half thousand years ago, and representatives of other faiths in total make up no more than 8% of the total population of the country. For the people of Thailand, a respectful attitude towards religious objects and representatives of the monastic community is of great importance. And if those who are familiar with this school of Buddhism firsthand can safely go to explore the various Buddhist temples, of which there are a huge number throughout South Asia, then a person unfamiliar with the subject under discussion should be armed with all the necessary information.
Whatever temple you visit - large or small, urban or rural, empty or crowded - remember the simple rules, violation of which canentail an insult to religious feelings and condemnation from the indigenous population. Traveling through places with a high concentration of tourists, you will find buildings of amazing beauty here, such as the well-known temples of Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Clothes
You probably know that Thailand is notorious for rather high temperatures throughout the year, but those who do not consider themselves a cultureless person should adhere to certain norms when choosing clothes. Buddhist temples are a sacred place for most locals, so if you go to the temple in a low-cut and mini-shorts, be prepared for a strong backlash. Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, your knees and shoulders must be covered, transparent fabric is not allowed. Don't wear clothes that are too tight to keep your appearance consistent with the notion of decency.
Take off your shoes in the building area. In large temples that are popular with tourists, signs asking you to take off your shoes are duplicated in English. The easiest way to follow this rule is for those who go on an excursion in flip flops.
Behavior
Even if you're in Thailand for your honeymoon, refrain from any kind of demonstrative sympathy while in a religious place. Do not stretch your legs towards statues or images of the Buddha, monks, nuns and other worshipers when you visit Buddhist temples. In Thailand, the legs are considered a "dirty" part of the body, and pointing them towards the shrineor even a person of equal status - a gesture of utter disdain. Do not touch images of the Buddha, as well as monks of the opposite sex to you - this prohibition is associated with a complex set of monastic discipline. Try not to point your finger at anything. In front of the Buddha statue, fold your arms across your chest and bow your head in respect.
Keep quiet. If you are traveling with children, take the responsibility to teach them how to behave in a sacred place.
