What are the rules for fulfilling vows in temples? How long should you wait to fulfill your vow after making it?

When we worship Buddha, we should put our hands together like a lotus, indicating that our heart is like a lotus, pure and untainted by the mud. This way, it will be easier to pray for blessings and make wishes. However, after the wish is successful, there are many things to pay attention to when fulfilling the wish. So what are the etiquettes for fulfilling vows in temples?

What are the rules for fulfilling vows in temples?

1. Dress well

When you go to a temple to fulfill a vow, you must dress modestly and simply. Try to choose plainer clothes. Do not wear clothes that are too revealing or strange. Of course, it is not appropriate to wear slippers or a hat into a temple.

2. Be careful with your words and actions

Each temple worships a different god, but they all hope to purify people's hearts. Going to the temple to fulfill a vow is a good thing, but it is not appropriate to make loud noises or use bad words, and your words and actions must be gentle.

3. Location

After a wish is fulfilled, you must fulfill it. But you must pay attention: you must return to the place where you made the wish to fulfill it, this is the rule. Although all Bodhisattvas are Bodhisattvas, after we make a wish, the ones who do the actual running errands are the Bodhisattva’s guardian spirits.

4. Pay attention to the offerings

Before going to the temple to fulfill a vow, you need to prepare 3-5 offerings such as seasonal fruits and biscuits, but they must be odd numbers (because odd numbers are yang numbers); you can also prepare incense, gold paper, etc. The specific preparation procedures depend on the regulations of each temple. Fruits suitable for worship: apples, peaches, plums, dates, grapefruits, pomeloes, oranges, etc. Fruits that cannot be offered for worship: tomatoes, guavas, sugar apples, durian, etc.

5. Time is important

Whether making a wish or fulfilling a wish, choosing a good day is very important. There is relatively only one thing you need to keep in mind on the day of fulfilling a vow, which is that you must fulfill it within the deadline and try not to delay it deliberately. If your wish comes true after the wishing deadline, it is recommended to choose a good day to fulfill the wish.

6. Burning incense is very particular

When fulfilling a vow and worshiping Buddha, you should hold the incense in your left hand and your hands must be clean. When burning incense, the incense should be lit all at once, and the stronger the better. When offering incense, hold the incense at the bottom with your right hand, raise it above your head and bow. After bowing, you can place the incense in the incense burner. In addition, do not step over the cushion when burning incense and worshiping Buddha, otherwise it will be regarded as disrespectful.

7. The rules of kowtow

When you kowtow to Buddha to fulfill a vow, you cannot kowtow too quickly. You need to kneel on the cushion with your knees, put your hands together with the palms hollow, and raise them above your head. Move it down to your mouth and pause, then start to fulfill your wish, then move it down to your heart, recite silently, then spread your palms with your palms facing up, and bow down. Bow your head down. Just go back and forth three times.

How long does it take to fulfill a wish after making it?

1. There is no stipulated time limit for fulfilling a vow. In principle, the vow should be fulfilled within one year after the wish is fulfilled. If the wish is not fulfilled within the wishing period, there is no need to fulfill the wish.

2. According to Buddhist tradition, there is no distinction between auspicious days and inauspicious days. There is relatively only one thing you need to keep in mind on the day of fulfilling a vow, which is that you must fulfill it within the deadline and try not to delay it deliberately.

3. After your wish comes true, you must fulfill it. If your wish comes true after the wishing deadline, it is recommended that you choose a day to fulfill your wish. Because I made a promise when I made the wish, it is a question of integrity.