What To Expect When Entering the Buddha Vihara:\r\n\r\nWhen entering the Buddha Vihara there are a few simple customs that all visitors are requested to follow and other others that visitors can, if they wish, take part in.\r\n\r\n\r\nCustoms that all visitors are requested to follow each time they enter the Shrine room:\r\n\r\n- Take off shoes\r\n\r\n- Take a seat either on the cushions on the floor, or on the seats at the back of the Shrine Room (these are usually used by people who find it difficult to sit on the floor).\r\n\r\n\r\nCustoms that are optional for visitors to follow:\r\n\r\n- On entry you may notice some other visitors paying respect to a statute of the Buddha. A Statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. You may notice visitors bowing to the statue as an expression of gratitude for the teaching.\r\n\r\n- The visitors may put some small change into the donation box at the front of the shrine room. This donation is used to help towards the day to day running of the Buddha Vihara and meeting the few needs of the Buddhist monks. The donation can be whatever is desired.\r\n\r\n- The monks always commence their talk by observing the Five Precepts of Buddhism.\r\n\r\nThe moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are:\r\n\r\n– Not to take the life of anything\r\n\r\n– Not to take anything not freely given\r\n\r\n– To abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence\r\n\r\n– To Refrain from untrue speech\r\n\r\n\r\n– To avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness\r\n\r\nThe congregation often repeat these in meditation after the monk.\r\n\r\nIt is customary to wait for the Monks to leave the Shrine room before the congregation exit the room (but if you should need to leave during any function, please use the door at the back of the Shrine room).