Chapter 3 -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.
Srila Prabhupada agreed with the saying, "Cleanliness is next to godliness."
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