If we do meet monks in the monastery, we put our palms together and say: "Dharma Master, Amitabha Buddha!". Before we leave, we say: "Amitabha Buddha" instead of "Good bye!". Please remember this!

The Monastery is a Buddhist holy place. It is not advisable for us to smoke, loiter in slippers, leathered shoes or clogs. Nor should we eat while walking and throw the rubbish anywhere. These actions are against the Monastery rules. 

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is of utmost importance in the life of all Buddhists. Upon entering a Buddha Hall, Buddhists or visitors must pay respect by means of paying homage, greet, making obeisance and bowing to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

A lay disciple is not supposed to stand in the middle of the hall, browsing around, while making obeisance to the Buddhas. It is considered rude to treat the images of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with the intention to scrutinize them as art pieces.

A Buddha Hall is a Holy Place where people must restrain themselves from chitchatting or make noise. Unruly people who insist on talking loudly, loitering and worst of all, lying around as they like, are behaviors that go against the monasteries' rules!

Some children treat the Buddha Hall as their playground and run around the hall. Touching every things that they could reached. As such, parents are fully responsible for not teaching them the proper conduct!

Parents who know the benefits in the practice of the Buddha Dharma, should teach their children and youngsters to learn Buddhism. Encourage them to participate in the Dharma Assembly or listen to Dharma talk. To learn from the guidance of the Buddha Dharma, to become filial children and good citizens in the society.

The Monastery is a pure dwelling that is guarded and upheld by the Gods; Eight Groups of Dharma protectors. People who spit anywhere, encourage the spreading of diseases by their unhygienic behavior. The offender is harming the gem of Sangha that is equivalent to falling into hells to undergo the retributions of acute sufferings.

It is against the rules of monastery if followers or visitors, place their umbrellas, raincoats, hats, handbags, purses and other personal items on the offering table. They must place them at designated location that is suitable to place their personal belongings.

Layman who wishes to make obeisance to the Buddha must do so by standing on the right or left hand side of the hall. The middle of the hall is a designated honorable position which is assigned for the Abbot of the Monastery!

The adorned Buddha Hall is a holy place to be respected. Lay disciples are expected to dress appropriately. It is not advisable to wear mini-skirts, shorts, blouses with low-cuts or bare-backs, as such presentation is a sign of disrespecting the solemness of the Buddha Hall.

Making obeisance is the utmost respect we can show to the Buddhas. We should wash our hands and clean ourselves before bowing to the Buddhas. Do not be careless. A bow to the Buddhas and your numerous sins will be wiped away. 

It is not advisable to partake meaty food before reciting the Sutras and making obeisance to The Buddha. It is especially rude for those who chew chewing gum while praying to The Buddhas!

For one to display a solemn appearance with great respect while making obeisance to the Buddha, a person has to stand upright, eyes and mind focus and place his palms together firmly. 

For those who are new to the Monastery and do not know the correct way in making obeisance to The Buddha, they should consult the Dharma Masters or those who stand beside them. It is not advisable to conduct in a superficial or insincere manner.

Do not walk before the people who are paying obeisance to the Buddha as such conduct would distract their focus. This is also considered to be an inconsiderate or rude behavior.

We must wash our hands before handling the Sutra. We must hold it respectfully with both hands, just as though The Buddha is standing before us. The best way for recitation is to kneel down, and it is alright to either stand or sit down.

The Buddha Sutras are the Dharma Gem and they are protected and upheld by the Gods, Eight Groups of Dharma protectors. We should not put them on the floor, dangling half way in the air or with the front covers facing downwards. If we do, it violates the rules and will be treated as an offence for being disrespectful. 

At the monastery, we should never walk in front of the Sutra Recitation Assembly, or take photographs with complete ignorance of the ongoing activity. By doing so, we disrupted the harmonious atmosphere of the adorned temple and we are guilty of such disorderly conduct. 

Remember this, while carrying the image of The Buddha with both our hands, we are not supposed to bow to others or wish them. We must hold the image above the waist. 

The altar of The Buddha is for placing the Buddhas' images, five offerings and the Sutra. We should not put our other personal belongings on the table. We will be guilty for being disrespectful towards the Triple Gems if we do. 

In the monastery, we should not take things without asking for permission. Neither can we take the food from the kitchen or the fruits at the altar for personal consumptions. By doing so, we are guilty of stealing and misappropriating of Sangha property.

We should not be greedy and use the amenities of the monastery for our convenience or comfort. If we wish to use any tools or devices, we must pay for it, or make a donation to the blessing box. A small cause of misuse might bring upon us a great retribution. We must always be mindful not to commit grave offences from minor negligence!

Buddhists and visitors who receive souvenirs from the Abbot or Dharma Masters, are encouraged to make a donation to the Merit Box in return for their kindness, as a form of mutual respect.

In order to create good affinity with others, vegetarian banquets are arranged during the celebrations of Vesak Day or other Dharma Assemblies. As the food is donated by people from all around us, do make a donation as act of kindness after finishing a meal. 

While eating at the monastery, we join the queue for food in orderly manner. Avoid rushing for food that will result with tarnishing the Buddhist rules. 

When speaking to the Dharma Master who is sitting down, we must stand respectfully beside him. We are not supposed to sit down without being asked to do so. While standing, do stand upright without leaning against the wall or standing in a sloppy manner. Let us be respectful to the Master.

While speaking to the Dharma Master, we speak clearly and gently. We always show respect and converse in a happy manner. Avoid interrupting the Dharma Master while he speaks.

When the Dharma Master is giving a Dharma talk or Instructions, we must not chat with those sitting beside us or doze off. This is considered disrespectful.

We must not use the things that belongs to the Dharma Master, such as his chairs, bed, tools, clothing and others. If we are unsure, we must ask before taking and use them. This is a basic courtesy.

We must use both hands to make offerings to the Dharma Masters. Do not offer to them the food which has been tasted or eaten by us. It is against the rule to offer unclean food!

Before entering the room of the Dharma Master, we must knock at the door three times. If there is no answer, we need to comprehend that the master is either doing his work or resting. We should leave immediately. Do not force our way into his room!

We must not make obeisance to the Dharma Master if he is brushing his teeth, washing the face, eating, resting, sleeping, writing or talking on the phone. When we meet him on the road, we need not make obeisance to him. Instead we can just greet him.

If we wish to make obeisance at the Dharma Master, we must do so by facing the direction of The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We must not bow directly to his body. We need to abide by the proper etiquette. 

If the Dharma Master create affinity by giving us Dharma Souvenirs, we must receive them with both hands to show our respect. We can reply: "Amitabha Buddha!" ( which means thank you ). Never should we receive with only one hand which is a sign of a rude behavior. 

When we stay in a Monastery, we must abide by the Monastery rules. For example: we must switch off the light at scheduled lights-off time. We must not switch on the light as we like to read or chitchat with others. This is not only a wasteful practice, but also transgressed the percept of not stealing. 

During the short stay at a monastery, we must not bring anything home from the monastery. Not a needle or piece of thread. Else it is considered a violation of the percept of not stealing. 

Today, we all carry mobile devices including mobile phone. For the sake of convenience, we bring it into the Monastery, listen to the Sutra and handling our businesses on the phone at the same time. This is an act of bringing sin upon oneself. 

There are people who bring their music box and even radio to the monastery. These people listen and sing aloud without caring about the Dharma Master and other Buddhists who are practicing there. This inconsiderate action is classified as a sin too. 

There are also some people whom after jogging, continue to the temple to join in the recitation assembly without changing their sweaty attires. This is an inconsiderate self inflicted negative karma. 

The monastery is a sanctuary of peace and purity. Senior practitioners and the new comers should dwell in harmony. Those who know must teach the others and not look down on people. Those who don't, end up with a poor cultivation of their practice and may lead to unnecessary disputes. This alter the result from sowing the blessings to a negative karma. 

The merits and virtues in reciting the Sutra is immeasurable. We should try to recite together in harmony. The recitation of the Sutra is for oneself to hear clearly, but not to impress others on how good once's voice is. It is very rude if we were to recite at the top of our voice that disturb others, even to the extent of overwhelming the recitation from the monk who leads the assembly. Please be mindful with our behavior.

At times, we may encounter disputes within the monastery. A wise person should refrain from taking part in them. If someone unexpectedly approaches you to discuss the faults or conflicts of others, simply listen and gently persuade them to let it go. You should never add to the conflict, as doing so only creates negative karma.