A View on Buddhism

[weaver]

There is a Theravada center about an hour from me that I'd like to visit. They meet on Sundays for a topic, meditation, and then what seems like an informal discussion period. They meet in a storefront type building, so it's not a temple as I'd usually picture.

Is there any kind of common practice for Theravadan services? Anything I should be aware of?

[Mitch White]

Expect to be greeted warmly , thats about it as far as I know.
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"Investigate Right Where You're Standing"
Master Chu-hung

[rudyh01]

Hi weaver,

Don't worry too much. It's likely that nearly everyone in the center is an 'ordinary' westerner who first walked in that center some time before you.
They know that newcomers can't know what's going on, so the best thing is to explain you are completely new and just ask people to help or explain to you what's going on.
Try to be respectful and a bit mindful, for example, they probably take their shoes off before entering the meditation room. But you don't 'have to' do anything you don't understand or like. Maybe people make prostrations etc., but that is their choice. Probably they will be chanting prayers, perhaps even in a language you don't understand, I would recommend not to recite these until you know what you are saying.

The main trick is to be open-minded, but also to be critical of what is happening. By all means, take the opportunity to ask what things mean.
And my favorite advice: they probably won't eat you, chances are that most of them are vegetarians!
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Love & clear light,
Rudy

[Compassion First]

[weaver]

Whew! I'm glad the cannibal thing isn't an issue. I was kind of holding my breath on that one

Thanks, all, for the suggestions, including the ones on personal safety - chuckle.