Can Someone Helpme Understand What I Did Wrong

[orchidlady]

I just got back from a lovely 23 day trip to Cambodia and Thailand. At Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai, where you can take photos, like most of the temples, I know you are to be lower than the Buddha statue. I was frustrated trying to get pictures with everyones heads constantly appearing in my pictures as I was taking pictures and as I have a bad back and knee, I cannot kneel and so I decided to lie down on the floor with my feet planted on the floor and shoot my pictures that way.

No sooner did I do this and a man started screaming at me in French-if he had not caused such a commotion I might have been able to understand what he was saying as I have studied French...and the resident Monk got very agitated also. My tour guide was not around and I was too embarrassed to ask him what I had done to cause this because in the process from getting up from the floor, with my bad back, I accidentily raised my left foot toward the statue of Buddha which I know was very wrong and I just wanted to get out of there and forget the whole embarrassing thing. Fortunately no one from my tour was in that particular temple when the incident occurred.

But now that I am back I would like to know why you can't lie on the floor? Thanks for helping me understand what I did. I did buy meals for the Monks at all the temples we visited after this to try to make up for my transgression.

[sweetchariot]

Which way were you lying?

If your feet were between you and Buddha (ie you were facing Buddha), and your feet were planted on the floor, then you would have been 'pointing' at Buddha with your feet, which was probably it.

I am no expert, I am sure someone else will confirm or deny this.

[Brucenkhamen]

You aren't supposed to lie down in front of a Buddha image. I don't think it's as bad as pointing your feet at it but almost, of course doing both is doubly bad. Probably taking a photo as well is triply bad.

The screaming guy could obviously benefit from learning a bit of Buddhist equanimity though.

Sometimes it's better to leave your camera in your bag and enjoy the moment instead.

[ChiangmaiLoon]

If the man shouting was French then you should have suggested he take his comments elswhere. Local monks are relatively tolerant of tourist "faux pas".

Pointing your feet straight at the Buddha or a monk is considered rude, Shouting at tourists is also rude.

[chownah]

If the man speaking French appeared to be asian then he might have been from Laos and once when I was in Laos at a temple much visited by tourists in Vientienne I saw and heard a viscious tongue lashing administered to some tourists who were innocently taking pictures of themselves with their monk who was showing them around....but they were not placing the monk in a position which the irate onlooker felt was exhalted enough so he complained in no uncertain terms....another monk was showing me around and I could tell that he was a bit embarassed by the irate man's behavior.

You made an honest mistake...you might go back to the temple, apologize for having done the wrong thing, ask what it was since you don't want to do it again, and then leave a small donation...this will not only help you to learn what you did wrong specifically but it will also help the people at the temple see that even foreigners are willing to humbly seek correction for their missteps. (Be sure to wear modest clothing when you return, long pants or skirt, shoulders covered, loose fitting, subdued colors, etc.....might you have been immodestly dressed the first time you visited?)

Chownah

[orchidlady]

I was dressed modestly- I always do anyway, except outside the temples I bare my arms...No this man appeared to be of European ancestry.... Maybe his screaming in the temple is what agitated the monk. I think from the comments, I was lying down and pointing my feet either at Buddha or the monk. I get it now. There was no problem with taking pictures at this particular temple, you just were supposed to kneel. Thanks. On my next trip, which is going to be within the next year and might be to move... I will do better now that I know!

[Brucenkhamen]

I was dressed modestly- I always do anyway, except outside the temples I bare my arms...No this man appeared to be of European ancestry.... Maybe his screaming in the temple is what agitated the monk. I think from the comments, I was lying down and pointing my feet either at Buddha or the monk. I get it now. There was no problem with taking pictures at this particular temple, you just were supposed to kneel. Thanks. On my next trip, which is going to be within the next year and might be to move... I will do better now that I know!

OIC I assumed the french speaking person was a local, I mean what business of his was it if he wasn't a local.

What you did was a bit impolite but if a Thai person wanted to correct you they would more likely smile and quietly correct you so you didn't lose face, unless they were jaded by tourists or a security guard.

But what he did was totally obnoxious, don't let it bother you.

[lioness]

The feet are considered the lowest part of the body, you never sit with your feet pointing at anybody, also to point them in the direction of the statue is an insult, either way.

Never touch a persons head, ruffle their hair and so on. Even a Thai , say for instance removing an insect from a persons head or hair will put their hands together and say Kortorte ( sorry ) before touching the person.

We all make mistakes, learn from the incident. Regards the Frenchman, he is of no consequence forget him, just rude and arrogant and not worth you letting him upset you long term.

If you are really interested in learning what is acceptable behaviour have a look at some of the tourist info websites they offer an insight into customs and the like.

[IMChris]

I was dressed modestly- I always do anyway, except outside the temples I bare my arms...No this man appeared to be of European ancestry.... Maybe his screaming in the temple is what agitated the monk. I think from the comments, I was lying down and pointing my feet either at Buddha or the monk. I get it now. There was no problem with taking pictures at this particular temple, you just were supposed to kneel. Thanks. On my next trip, which is going to be within the next year and might be to move... I will do better now that I know!

At our wat there are many chairs on the side wall. these are for the elders and others who are unable to sit long periods on a marble floor. My other advise is to use a telephoto and goto the back and stand. Next time someone yells at you, just smile, dont say anything and give a Wai you save face and he well most likely yell even louder

[mr_hippo]

...so I decided to lie down on the floor with my feet planted on the floor and shoot my pictures that way.

If I am interpreting this properly - you were on your back with the soles of your feet on the ground (my feet planted on the floor) so where were your knees? They must have been bent, possibly slightly open, and that isn't a dignified position, is it?

[lioness]

Officially from an Information website:-

Do's & Don'ts

General Advice - show respect and use your head and eyes and common sense will guide you well in navigating this culture.

Remember; don't touch heads, don't flash your flesh, The rest is about manners, shoes left outside, accepting hosts greetings and not upsetting religious feelings.

Welcome - a kiss or embrace from a stranger is insulting and humiliating.

Feelings - Public displays of affection are taboo, so don't cause shock or embarrassment by kissing or cuddling in front of people.

Foot and Head - In Buddhism and general Asian society, the head is very important to the souls and it's purity, while the feet walk the Earth and all that is deposited on it. Raising your feet to Headheight, putting them on furniture or pointing them is taken as a deliberate insult or sign of barbarism.

Don't gesture with your feet or touch an Asian head, you would be asking for trouble.

Homes - Shoes are generally a no-go indoors. Use your eyes and common sense to maximise your chances of social success.

Keep your head and general profile low at gatherings, Particularly when passing older people, respect should be seen to be shown.

Religion - Religion is a major part of daily life and remains the practice of the massive majority.

show respect in temples and shrines, watch how the locals behave in such places. Dress neatly when visiting temples and religious shrines. You should never go shirtless, or in shorts, miniskirts or hot pants.

It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around a temple compound, but not inside the chapel where the Budda image is kept. Every Budda image is regarded as a sacred object, no matter how big, small, old or new. NEVER climb onto a Budda image to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.

Keep your head lower than the Buddas and Monks. Buddist priests must NOT be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman gives anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Don't turn your back on a Budda.