An ettiquete question :

[hedgehog]

I am a "small c" catholic, raised as a Roman Catholic. I may be visiting South Korea (again) and will have the opportunity to visit Buddhist holy sites (again). For me, a holy place is a holy place.

1. Would anyone be offended if I pray in a Buddhist temple?

2. If I pray in a Buddhist temple, what are the proper actions so as not to cause offense?

[Sanddog42]

1. I didn't know there was such a thing as a small-c catholic.

No one will be offended if you pray in a Buddhist temple.

But if you do offend a Buddhist you've given them the gift of revealing their attachments,
so they have the opportunity to see it clearly and let it go.

[hedgehog]

4. When I was there, the only other person was repeatedly prostrating herself -

would simple kneeling be acceptable?

[Sanddog42]

6. Yes, simply kneeling is fine.

Prostrating oneself is a specific practice not everyone engages in.

Other simply sit (sitting meditation) on a cushion or a chair.

Some simply walk. (Walking meditation.)

If they start to nod off while sitting, they might stand up for a while and do a standing meditation.

At Spirit Rock retreat in CA there's a little shack near the entrance for what they light-heartedly refer to as "smoking meditation."

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. The secular definition of the word "catholic" is "universal" or "wide-ranging".

As in, "That person has catholic taste in music."

Translation: That person listens to many different types of music.

As far as the OP, you might ask them.

[hedgehog]

3. Pretty good definition - I attend Mass at an Episcopal Church,

but I am "catholic" enough" to honor any holy place.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. Oh OK, I see. You've branched out. That's good.

I am a Unitarian Universalist, raised Presbyterian, basically atheist, who studies Mahayana (Chinese) Buddhism.

I think if you are respectful you should not have a problem.

I go in old cathedrals and truly enjoy looking at the artworks! I also listen to classical music in Latin, written usually but not always by Catholics, like Mozart.

I saw a woman one time in the Kwan Yin temple I attended say something inadvisable. In the lobby of the main building, there was a fat seated Buddha statue. She said, "If I rub his tummy will that bring me luck?" Uh......no.


I think you'll be fine.