What is the proper etiquette when greeting/meeting a Venerable?

Question

Am completely new to the practice. What is the custom/proper etiquette when meeting a Venerable, in this instance for the first time but still applies overall? Further, is one to bow to the Buddha first and then greet? Please be as detailed and specific as possible. Example, If one is to bow, how and how many times, when, etc.

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 08 '17 at 04:24

2

You bow one time when you meet the monk and you bow one time when you depart. You bow to the Buddha statue when you offer flowers, incense sticks, oil lamps etc. or when you chant some verse in front of the statue.

answered Sep 08 '17 at 04:24

Sankha Kulathantille

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ruben2020 · Answer 2 · 2017-09-08T08:27:30.440

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There's a YouTube video here, by Ven. Yuttadhammo, entitled "Monk Radio: Greeting a Monk".

edited Sep 08 '17 at 08:27

answered Sep 08 '17 at 08:20

ruben2020

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Answer provided around 3:00 is very descript. – C Smith Sep 09 '17 at 01:40

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 01 '18 at 12:30

Is this really mandatory? I haven't met a "venerable" until now. These days one has to be very careful, because there are monks who teach wrong things. Also sticking to useless rites is Silabbatupadana. If you bow down that's fine - I wouldn't. I associate bowing down with submissiveness, but that's just me. If it helps the mind, it helps. Just be cautious of idiolizating the monk and also question everything as stated in the Kalama Sutta.

What is the proper etiquette when greeting/meeting a Venerable?

3 Answers3