Can I worship Buddha during Qingming Festival? Is there any etiquette for worshipping Buddha during Qingming Festival?

Burning incense and worshiping Buddha is a way to express respect to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and to feel the peace and humility bestowed upon us by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Therefore, many people now choose to burn incense and worship Buddha on holidays. So can we worship Buddha during Qingming Festival? Are there any etiquette for worshiping Buddha on Qingming Festival?

Can I worship Buddha during Qingming Festival?

You can worship Buddha on Qingming Festival. According to traditional customs, Qingming Festival is a festival for outings and tomb sweeping, so people go to temples to worship Buddha.

1. Qingming Festival is the day for worshiping ancestors, sweeping tombs, and going out to enjoy the flowers. On this day, many believers like to go to temples to burn incense and worship Buddha in order to recall the lost lives, cherish their blessings and be grateful for the present. It is certainly possible to burn incense during the Qingming Festival, because burning incense does not conflict with the traditional Qingming Festival customs, and it also conforms to the Qingming Festival concept of honoring ancestors. The traditional Qingming Festival "burning bundles" is generally the main form of ancestor worship. The so-called "package", also known as "parcel", refers to the parcel sent from the world of the living to the "underworld" by filial relatives. Those who remove weeds and add soil to the grave burn paper mulberry ingots and place paper money on the grave.

2. The Qingming Festival itself is to commemorate the ancestors and ask them to bless the whole family with safety. It does not conflict with burning incense and praying in the temple. However, it is best to buy a better incense, because burning incense is the formal way of worshiping Buddha, and the emphasis is on truth and sincerity.

Etiquette you must know when visiting temples to worship Buddha during Qingming Festival

1. Take a bath in advance

If you are prepared to burn incense and worship Buddha, it is best to bathe in advance and enter the temple with a clean body and mind.

2. Do not eat meat before worshipping Buddha

Meat, other fish, garlic, onions, tobacco, alcohol, etc. will pollute the mouth and are disrespectful to Buddha, so it is best to avoid eating them before worshiping Buddha.

3. Dress neatly and behave politely

When entering a temple, it is advisable to dress neatly, wear shoes and hats. Do not dress inappropriately, especially ladies. Do not wear overly revealing clothes or heavy makeup when entering the Buddhist temple. No smoking, chewing gum, fighting or playing are allowed in the Buddhist temple.

4. Entering the temple

When entering a Buddhist temple, it is best not to enter through the middle door, but to enter through the side door. Do not step on the threshold, it is better to just lift your foot and enter. After entering the temple, you should not walk straight in the center. You should walk along the side of your left arm when moving forward or backward. When entering the hall, you should not place your hat or cane on the Buddhist table or seat.

5. Do not touch the temple property

Things in the temple should not be moved around, especially the ritual instruments such as bells, drums, fish chimes, etc., which should not be struck without permission. Things such as staffs, robes, and bowls should also not be touched. Things like fruits and plants should not be picked at will.

6. Do not cross the line when worshipping Buddha

The prayer mat in the center of the main hall is for the master of the temple and should not be used for worship. Instead, you should use the stools on both sides, which are used by men on the left and women on the right. When someone is worshipping, you should not walk in front of their head.

7. Read the sutra with respect

You can only read scriptures that are open to public viewing in the temple. But before reading, you must wash your hands first, place the book flat on the table and read it. Do not hold the book in your hand or place it on your knees. Clothes, hats and other items should not be added to the scriptures.

8. There are some rules for worshipping monks

When meeting a monk, call him "Master" or "Great Monk". Avoid calling him "renunciate" or "monk" directly. The common way of greeting when meeting a monk is to put your hands together and bow your head slightly to show respect. Avoid inappropriate etiquette such as shaking hands, hugging, and touching the monk's head. You should not bow to a monk when he is worshiping, meditating, chanting scriptures, eating, sleeping, walking, or going to the toilet.

9. Etiquette for Listening to the Sutra

Follow the crowd to bow and take a seat. If you arrive later and the master has already taken his seat, you must bow to the Buddha, then take a step back and then bow to the master again. After taking your seat, do not greet acquaintances, sit up or down, cough or talk. If you cannot listen to the whole lecture, just bow to the master and leave quietly. Do not wave or call others.