Temple Basics

 

Basic Rules and Regulations

1) No eating meat, fish or eggs. Garlic and onions should be avoided.

2) No intoxication, including alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, caffeine or other drugs.

3) No gambling or mental speculation regarding the philosophy.

4) No illicit sex.

Devotees living on temple property are required to attend the full morning program beginning with Mangala Arotik at 4:30 am. Temple devotees are required to chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra on japa beads and follow the instruction of the temple president and other temple authorities.

 

Temple Room

One should offer obeisances to Srila Prabhupada and to the Deities when entering and leaving the temple room. While sitting the legs/feet should always be covered, feet should never turn towards the Deities, Srila Prabhupada, Tulasi devi. It is also very nice if women have their head covered.
One should also not sit with the back towards the Deities, Srila Prabhupada, Tulasi devi. The temple room is meant for devotional activities, hearing, chanting, reading, praying etc. One must be respectful of the Deities and do not commit offenses before Them.

For further rules in regards to the temple room: Read Nectar of Devotion pg 68-72

 

Bathroom

Don't apply tilak in the bathroom - it is sacred and should be applied outside the bathroom. Also don't take Harinama-chaddars, books or other sacred articles to the toilet or bathroom. Showers should be taken in the morning, after long rests, Harinama or passing stool. Cutting of nails, brushing teeth, shaving etc should always be done before taking a shower. Showers should be cool so as not to waste hot water.

 

General living rooms

Bed/bed sheets should be made/put away right after getting up; sheets should be washed as often as possible. Clothes should never lay around, but properly hung or folded. Dirty laundry should be kept in a bag or basket, not thrown in a drawer or put with clean clothes. All rooms should have their own cleaning paraphernalia. Trash cans should be emptied daily and disinfected regularly.
All rooms, drawers, cabinets, closets etc should be in order at all times.
Prasadam should not be eaten or taken into the ashrama.

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Srila Prabhupada agreed with the saying, "Cleanliness is next to godliness."