While at a buddhist place of learning you may experience some values and customs that are new, or different from what we are used to. Here are some useful pointers to help you orient yourself when visiting the centre.

The etiquette pointers below could also be a useful guide when visiting almost any Buddhist place in the world!

1. Shoes are always left outside the gompa, but may be worn in other parts of Buddha House. Socks or clean jiffies are fine.
2. Appropriate clothing is not too revealing or distracting. Head gear is considered disrespectful in the gompa. Neat casual gear is acceptable. Remember what looks modest when sitting on a chair, may not be if you sit on the floor.
3. Avoid directing the soles of the feet towards any sacred object, or other person as this is considered disrespectful.
4. Prostrations are not required of everyone. You will see older students making these at the beginning and end of teachings - at this time just stand and wait respectfully, and sit down when they do. If you wish to learn the way of doing prostrations, older students will be happy to demonstrate.
5. The greatest respect is shown to learned lamas such as the resident lama at Buddha House, at present Geshe Pema Tsering, as representing the Buddha and transmitting the lineage of teachings. Please stand when the lama enters or leaves and sit down immediately he sits down. If tea is served to all, wait for the tea blessing and for the lama to take the first sip before drinking yourself.
6. The lama usually gives opportunities for students to ask questions. Please try to express these simply to help the interpreter or wait and discuss the point with other students. Don't engage in cross discussion with other students during the lama's teaching.
7. Other people, both ordained and lay, also teach at Buddha House and while less formality is required, generally respectful behavior should maintained at these times.
8. Geshe Pema Tsering is addressed as Geshe-la. Monks and nuns may be addressed as 'Venerable' or by name prefaced by Venerable.
9. Great respect is shown to holy objects, especially Dharma books including the gompa prayer books. To avoid creating negative karma, Dharma material, including your own notebooks, should not be placed on the floor or on any low or dirty place, or under other objects, even Buddha statues. Ideally they should not be placed under a cushion without something such as a cloth book-cover beneath them. Dharma cassettes are similar to books.