Temple Visit Etiquette Guide

Pick Up 3 Tips

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  The Art of Coin Offering

  The offering box is not a piggy bank. Tossing coins and creating a clattering noise is like disturbing Buddha's afternoon nap—imagine Buddha thinking, "Well, there goes my enlightenment!" Instead, gently place your offering with care and bow with sincere reverence.

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  The Buddhist Way

  At Shinto shrines, you clap twice—but doing so at a Buddhist temple will definitely confuse Buddha ("Wait, am I at the wrong venue today?"). In Buddhism, the proper gesture is gassho-ichirei: place your palms together, unite your heart, and quietly bow your head.

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  The Value of Sincerity

  Dumping large amounts of coins or foreign objects into the offering box is simply bad manners. The value of saisen isn't measured in yen—it's measured in heart. Whether it's 5 yen or 50 yen, your sincere offering will reach Buddha all the same.