Hi. I'm from California of United States of America and I live in a quiet neighborhood and I live near a small temple. The problem is that its a Cambodia Temple and I don't speak the language because I'm Thai/Laos. I really want to make a donation to Buddha but I don't know what to say to the Buddha..
Thailand - 4 Answers
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1 :
Most of these temples, all of them here - have a system set-up where you go in and make a donation in a box - for this, you are given candles and incense to light. Watch the others in the temple. They will kneel down, bow their heads, hold the incense between their hands in a prayer like position and take a few moments of silent meditation or offerings of thanks for the blessing that they have in life. Be careful to take off your shoes before entering the temple and not to point your feet at the Buddha but fold them under or behind you. In Thai, it is called "Tum Boon" - I think likely they will understand the word donation if you are in California... good luck - don't be shy.
2 :
I'm sure they speak English at the temple, so you will not have a problem, except I hate to tell you this but, Buddha been dead for a few hundred years. But the temple will appreciate your donation.
3 :
I agree with Spanky answer but remember not to touch the monk if you are female. You put you donation in an envelope and on the envelope put the reason for your gift (remembrance of a loved one, wishes for your family etc...). The monk will put a cloth on the ground and you put your envelope on the cloth. And they do probably have monks that speak English.,. is correct on that point.
4 :
Hi I live in the same area. Though I am Japanese American. My parents are christians though I never practiced christianity, though I have an understanding of it. The monetary donation is to the temple anyway. You would be supporting what the monks do at the temple. What to say? world peace? Just joking but, not a bad thought. This is a good question. His spirit is up there or out there somewhere. To me, you don't have to go to a temple to talk to Buddha. Let me explain I don't see Buddha as a god, nor Buddhism as a religion. It's a philosophy and teachings as you well know. So you can talk to Buddha at any time. You can make a prayer at any time. Man is the one that says this place is holy or that place is holy. What do you say? You can ask for help, you can ask for guidance, you can ask for a sign or omen. Or you can have a conversation with him and feel his presence. Again, you can do that anywhere. Oh, about making a donation. Your donation to Buddha could be those interested, explain to them about your belief in Buddha and his teachings. Buddha's teaching was about finding inner peace. Would doing that make your day and someone else's possibly? Or your donation could be monetary. It depends on what you have gained or learned from Buddha. Granted I don't know everything about Buddha. I am Buddhist in the sense I try to live my life through the 8 fold path. Not easy!! But, those are my guidelines of life. Not much different than the 10 commandments huh? Take care
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