A Guide to the Gompa, booklet (PDF), Gompa photo by Donna Svennevik

Welcome. This booklet introduces the images and statues found within the gompa. The sacred images within this gompa are more than works of art. The Buddha statues, thangkas, and lineage teachers each embody the wisdom, compassion, and teachings of the Buddhist tradition. They serve as reminders of the path to awakening and inspire reflection, mindfulness, and kindness. 

A gompa is a Buddhist sacred space used for meditation, prayers, rituals, and teachings. Because we consider the Buddha’s teachings to be extremely precious, we treat them with great respect. It is said that the more we respect the teachings, the more we will be open to and benefit from them. This translates into traditional ways of showing respect to Dharma teachers, books, and the place where teachings are held. Whether you or Buddhist or not, we ask you to follow these customs out of respect for the tradition:

• Please do not bring food and drink into the gompa. If you have any water bottles or containers, please make sure they have a lid on them.
• Many students offer three prostrations to the Buddha when entering the gompa. This is not obligatory.
• Before a formal teaching, it is customary to stand in silence while awaiting the teacher’s arrival. When the teacher enters, we bow, holding our hands together in the prostration mudra until the teacher is seated. Once the teacher is seated, we may offer them three prostrations before sitting down.
• After a formal teaching, it is customary to stand in silence until the teacher has left.
• Please do not point the soles of your feet toward the altar or the teacher.
• When sitting on a cushion, please do not recline during teachings. Instead, maintain an alert yet relaxed posture to show respect to the teachings and the teacher.