Correct posture for ladies to worship Buddha: Should you bow down first or make a wish first?

Temples are pure and sacred places. For Buddhists, if they want to pray for things big or small in life, they will go to the temple to burn incense and worship Buddha, hoping to get the care of the Bodhisattva. However, there are still many rules we must abide by when worshiping Buddha.

Correct posture for women to worship Buddha

1. When a lady worships Buddha, she should first stand with her feet in a "front eight, back two" position. Use your heels to support yourself, take a deep breath, straighten your spine, and relax your whole body.

2. Then you need to always observe the "present action". Therefore, remember not to close your eyes when worshiping Buddha. Always focus your gaze and observe yourself.

3. Put your palms together [focus your mind] Put your palms together in front of your chest. Although your hands are straight, they still remain soft.

4. Bend your waist to your knees with your hands bent together, put your hands down, put your palms together, and raise your hands to the level of your eyebrows.

5. Lower your right hand first, while keeping your left hand in a palm-to-palm position. Slowly squat down, stretch your right arm forward and downward, press your right palm down on the center of the prayer mat, keep your left palm raised, and then kneel down on both knees. After kneeling, extend your left palm and press it to the left of the center of the prayer mat, half a palm above your right hand. When worshiping Buddha, do not move or turn your toes.

6. Move your right palm half a palm forward from the center of the prayer mat to the right, so that it is aligned with your left palm. The two palms should be about six inches apart, and your forehead should be flat on the prayer mat. When the head touches the ground, it is the forehead that touches the prayer mat, not the top of the head.

7. Turn your palms over to receive the Buddha’s gift. Make a fist with both hands, turn your palms upward, open them, palms facing up, and fingers as soft as lotus petals. This is called the "Head and Face Contacting Feet Salute." At this time, you can imagine that your hands have turned into lotus flowers, supporting the Buddha's feet.

8. When you turn your palm over to receive the Buddha, relax your whole body, feel at ease physically and mentally, and breathe deeply and naturally. At this time, visualize the Buddha standing on lotus hands and accepting worship.

9. When standing up, clench your fists and turn them over, open your palms, and place your palms down on the ground. Lift your head off the mat and move your right hand back to the center of the mat. Raise your left palm back to your chest, support your body with your right palm on the ground, stand up straight, and put your hands together.

10. Repeat the above steps two more times, a total of three times, to show the three karmas of paying homage.

11. Finally, ask once more and your merit will be complete.

When worshipping Buddha and making a wish, should we bow down first or make a wish first?

It is to light incense and then worship Buddha, which is a sign of respect for Buddha and Bodhisattva.

1. Burning incense and worshiping Buddha is the minimum respect for the Buddha, but for some loyal believers it is still a daily routine. Burning incense and worshiping Buddha is a solemn ritual, so you must standardize your posture and movements and face the Buddha with a pious and respectful heart.

2. The kneeling posture is to kneel on the cushion with both knees and put your hands together. Note that the palms should be hollow when you put your hands together. Raise them above the head, then lower them to the mouth and pause. You can make a wish, then lower them to the heart, recite silently, then open your palms with palms facing up, and bow down.