Entering Sacred Spaces: Houses of Worship

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Although each religious denomination and individual house of worship will have its own rules, there are some general guidelines you can follow to help ensure a pleasant and respectful visit:

• If you hope to participate in worship services or prayer, ask in advance whether this is appropriate and whether there are any portions of worship in which you should not participate.
• Err on the side of caution and dress modestly—no bare knees or shoulders. Inquire at the front entrance or office to see whether there are any other requirements, like head coverings.
• If you must bring a cellphone, turn it off or set it to “vibrate.”
• Try not to enter or leave the main worship space while worship services or prayers are ongoing.

Buddhism

• Depending on the denomination, the leader may be called Rinpoche, Lama, Venerable, Reverend, or His Holiness. If you are unsure, use Venerable.
• There may also be a temple secretary, with whom you can speak if the leader does not speak English.
• Remove your shoes and headgear before entering.
• Modest dress is appreciated. A jacket and tie (men) and pantsuit or dress that falls below the knee (women) is always appropriate. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. Head coverings are not required.
• Be aware of your body language: Do not turn your back or point your feet (if seated) at any cleric or at the shrine.
• If you must speak while in the main temple, speak quietly out of respect for the sacred space. Try to avoid speaking during the service.
• Avoid entering or exiting the main temple during meditation.
• Items with Buddhist images should never be placed on the floor. In addition, nothing should ever be placed on the shrine.

Christianity

• Depending on the denomination, the congregation leader may be referred to as Father, Reverend or Pastor.
• Modest dress is appreciated. A jacket and tie (men) and pantsuit or dress that falls below the knee (women) is always appropriate. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
• During a worship service, it is impolite to enter or exit during the sermon or before the final blessing.
• Generally, anyone is welcome to attend and participate in worship services. However, communion—a ritual commemorating Jesus’ last supper with his disciplines—is usually restricted to baptized Christians, and may also be restricted to members of the particular denominations you’re visiting.
• In many churches, small donations are given. A basket may be passed around during worship services to collect gifts.

Hinduism

• Depending on the denomination, the religious leader may be called Priest,
• Pandit or Pujari. Traditional address for clergy is Swamiji. There may also be a temple president, with whom you can speak if there is a language barrier with the religious leader.
• The traditional greeting, Namaste (roughly translated, “I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me”), is said with palms together at chest height and with a slight bow.
• Remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
• Dress codes vary among temples, although shorts and short skirts are generally frowned upon (except for small children). Some temples may require traditional Indian garb. Err on the side of caution and dress modestly.
• While seated, avoid pointing your feet toward the shrine.
• It is customary to leave a small donation ($1-$5) for temple upkeep; there will typically be a marked box for this purpose.

Islam

• The religious leader is called an Imam. He leads prayers, and may also be a community spokesperson for the congregation.
• Remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall.
• Women are expected to wear a head covering. Some Mosques will have scarves for you to borrow; check when you arrive.
• Modesty requirements mean that gender relationships may be formal—don’t be surprised an offer to shake hands does not get a response. As a rule of thumb, when greeting someone of the opposite sex wait for them to extend their hand or indicate their level of comfort before responding.
• Congregational prayers are held Fridays at noon.
• There may be separate entrances for men and women. Most prayer halls will also be separated by sex.
• It is considered impolite to walk in front of someone in prayer.
• The traditional greeting is “Salaam Alaykum” (Peace be upon you); the response is “Wa Alaykum Salaam” (And upon you Peace).

Judaism

• The religious leader is called a Rabbi. The Rabbi is usually the contact person. There may also be a synagogue president.
• Depending on the denomination, the synagogue may be called a temple (Reform Judaism) or shul (Orthodox Judaism).
• If everyone is wearing head coverings, err on the side of wearing one. Men wear yarmulkes, while women wear hats or scarves; more orthodox women may wear wigs. Many synagogues keep extra scarves and yarmulkes on hand for visitors.
• The most important feature of the synagogue is the ark, the cabinet holding the Torah. Do not enter or leave the main sanctuary while the ark is open.
• In many Orthodox shuls, men and women sit in separate areas.
• Modest dress is appreciated. A jacket and tie (men) and pantsuit or dress that falls below the knee (women) is always appropriate. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.

Sikhism

• Sikhs do not have ordained religious leaders. Some communities have lay leaders, called Granthi, who lead the community in reading the Sikh holy scriptures. There may also be a temple president, with whom you can speak if there is a language barrier with the Granthi.
• Remove your shoes before entering the Gurdwara.
• Some Sikh temples may require you to wash your hands and feet before entering the Gurdwara.
• Both men and women should cover their heads before entering the main sanctuary of the Gurdwara. Some Gurdwaras have head coverings available at the door for visitors.
• Participation in worship is optional. You may enter and leave at any time.
• All people in a Gurdwara sit on the floor, regardless of their status.
• It is customary to leave a small donation ($1-$5) for temple upkeep; there will typically be a marked box for this purpose.