Monastery Project

When sitting, we avoid extending our feet towards the teacher or the altar.

We generally avoid hugging monks, nuns, and lamas.

To greet, it is common to put your hands together, with your thumbs tucked inside, and bow your head. 

To serve, we offer monks, nuns and lamas the best food and drink, serving them before anyone else. When serving, we start with the highest lama or monk or nun. 
If we give and offer something, we do it with both hands, even if it is something small that fits in one hand.

To refer to monks and nuns, 'Ven' (Venerable) is used and is an honorific to show respect.

Generally speaking, it is not considered appropriate to wear revealing clothing when meeting monks or nuns or attending a teaching.

It is common to stand up when a lama or member of the sangha (monastic community) enters the room, especially if he is teaching. In a teaching, people usually also do three prostrations after the teacher sits down.