Buddhist Rules

Usually, according to the rules established by temples, when worshipping Buddha, only the abbot and temple pickets (disciplinary investigators) are allowed to stand in the central position in front of Buddha, and the others should remain on both sides.

When worshipping Buddha, one should stand in front of the worship pad, putting his palms together in front of him, keeping a distance of 8 cun (1/3 decimeter) between the front parts of his feet and 2 cun between his heels, and then begins his greeting. When greeting, one is suggested to make his back at an angle of 90 to 120 degrees to his waist without bowing his head. He should press his palms put together in front of his knees or his legs. Then, he makes his two index fingers form certain angle with each other, aligns his thumbs and puts them between the two index fingers, leaving the other fingers of both hands naturally coincide to form a fist. And then he raises the two index fingers between the eyebrows, puts them down, claps his hands and begins to pray.

When worshipping Buddha, one should slowly lean the upper part of his body towards the worship pad, and bend his legs downwards. Then he presses the center of the pad with his right hand, and moves the right hand to his right front after he moves his left hand to his left front, thus naturally putting his knees on the pad’s edge, and his head between his hands, which is the so called wutitoudi meaning worshipping by making one’s hands, knees and head touch the ground. Finally, he shows his palms upward and raises his head by 1-2 cun, symbolizing his pious acceptance of Buddha’s guidance.

When one rises, he should first put his palms downwards, move his right hand to the center of the pad, and his left hand to his chest about to put together with the right hand. He slowly stretches his legs, moves his right hand off the pad, puts together with the left hand, and stands upright. After having conducted the worship three times, he once more greets Buddha with his palms put together, bidding farewell to the Buddha, and making a successful end of his whole worshipping process.