Rules, Dos & Don’ts And Code Of Conduct

Respect • Devotion • Peace • Cleanliness • Community

This Code of Conduct is established to maintain a peaceful, safe, clean, respectful and welcoming environment for all devotees, visitors, priests, volunteers, staff and guests.

Everyone entering or using the Temple premises is expected to respect the Temple, its religious practices, its facilities and other people.

By entering the Temple premises, visitors are expected to follow these rules and any reasonable instructions given by authorised Temple representatives.

The Temple is a place of worship, prayer, reflection, and community.

DO

• Behave peacefully and respectfully.
• Speak quietly and considerately.
• Respect people who are praying, meditating, or participating in ceremonies.
• Treat priests, volunteers, staff, devotees and visitors with courtesy.
• Follow reasonable instructions from authorised Temple representatives.
• Respect people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and circumstances.
• Maintain appropriate personal boundaries.

DON’T

The following behaviour is not permitted:

• Fighting or physical violence.
• Threatening, intimidating, or aggressive behaviour.
• Bullying or harassment.
• Abusive, insulting, or threatening language.
• Deliberately disturbing prayers, ceremonies, or religious activities.
• Unwanted physical contact or inappropriate behaviour towards another person.
• Discriminatory or hateful behaviour.
• Sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behaviour.
• Deliberately provoking arguments or disturbances.
• Any behaviour that puts another person at risk.

DO

• Keep mobile phones silent or in an appropriate quiet setting.
• Use phones discreetly.
• Follow Temple instructions concerning photography and recording.
• Ask permission before photographing or recording identifiable individuals where appropriate.

DON’T

• Make loud phone calls inside worship areas.
• Interrupt religious ceremonies to take photographs or videos.
• Photograph or record restricted religious activities where photography is prohibited.
• Photograph children or vulnerable individuals without appropriate permission.
• Livestream Temple activities where this has not been authorised.

Please Note: The Temple may designate particular areas or ceremonies as “No Photography / No Recording” zones.

Devotees and visitors should respect the religious traditions and practices observed at the Temple.

DO

• Observe ceremonies quietly and respectfully.
• Follow instructions given by priests or authorised Temple representatives.
• Respect sacred objects, religious images, scriptures, and ceremonial items.
• Wait patiently for your turn during worship or offerings.
• Maintain appropriate cleanliness and hygiene.
• Follow any specific rules applying to particular ceremonies.

DON’T

• Touch sacred objects or religious items unless permitted.
• Interrupt priests or ceremonies unnecessarily.
• Mock, insult, or deliberately disrespect religious practices.
• Enter areas marked as restricted.
• Remove Temple property or religious objects without permission.

Everyone shares responsibility for keeping the Temple clean.

DO

• Use designated bins.
• Keep toilets and communal areas clean.
• Follow any hand-washing or hygiene requirements.
• Dispose of offerings and other materials only in designated locations.
• Report spills, damage or hazards to Temple volunteers or staff.

DON’T

• Litter.
• Spit anywhere on the Temple premises.
• Leave food, packaging, or personal belongings in worship areas.
• Damage or misuse Temple facilities.
• Smoke or vape inside buildings or in areas where it is prohibited.

The possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs on Temple premises is prohibited.

Alcohol must not be brought onto or consumed on Temple premises unless specifically authorised by the Temple and permitted by law.

A person who appears intoxicated or whose behaviour is affected by alcohol or drugs may be refused entry or asked to leave where appropriate.

Any suspected illegal activity may be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Weapons and dangerous items must not be brought onto Temple premises except where possession is expressly lawful and authorised.

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Violence or attempted violence.
• Threatening behaviour.
• Fighting.
• Intimidation.
• Possession or use of dangerous items for the purpose of causing harm.
• Deliberate damage to property.
• Conduct creating a serious safety risk.

Please Note: Where there is an immediate danger, Temple representatives may contact the appropriate emergency services or police.

The Temple aims to provide a safe environment for everyone. No person should:

• Harass, stalk, intimidate, or threaten another person.
• Engage in unwanted sexual conduct.
• Make inappropriate comments about another person's body or appearance.
• Engage in unwanted touch.
• Exploit, abuse or intimidate children or vulnerable people.
• Attempt to isolate or manipulate another person.
• Engage in any other behaviour that may reasonably cause fear, distress or harm.

Please Note: Concerns involving children or vulnerable people should be reported promptly to an authorised Temple representative and, where appropriate, to the relevant authorities.

Parents, guardians, and responsible adults are expected to supervise children in their care. Children should:

• Be treated respectfully.
• Remain appropriately supervised.
• Follow Temple safety and conduct rules.
• Not be allowed to run through worship areas or interfere with ceremonies.

Please Note: Temple representatives may intervene where behaviour creates a safety risk or seriously disrupts worship.

The Temple welcomes people with different needs and abilities. Everyone should:

• Respect accessible entrances, seating and facilities.
• Keep access routes clear.
• Give appropriate consideration to elderly people, disabled people and anyone requiring additional assistance.
• Avoid blocking ramps, exits, doors, or emergency routes.

Please Note: Reasonable adjustments should be considered where appropriate and practicable.

Food and religious offerings must be handled respectfully and in accordance with Temple procedures.

DO

• Place offerings only in designated areas.
• Follow instructions concerning permitted foods and offerings.
• Dispose of food respectfully and appropriately.
• Inform Temple staff of allergies or safety concerns when relevant to organised events.

DON’T

• Bring prohibited food or drink into restricted areas.
• Waste religious offerings.
• Leave food where it may create hygiene or pest problems.
• Take Temple offerings, donations, or ceremonial items without permission.

Temple property belongs to the Temple or its lawful owner and must be treated with care. It is prohibited to:

• Steal or remove Temple property without permission.
• Deliberately damage buildings, furniture, religious objects, or equipment.
• Deface walls, doors, signs, or other property.
• Misuse toilets, kitchens, community rooms, or other facilities.
• Enter staff-only or restricted areas without authorisation.

Please Note: Anyone who accidentally causes damage should report it promptly.

All donations and fundraising activities must follow Temple procedures. Unauthorised individuals must not:

• Collect donations on behalf of the Temple without permission.
• Request money from devotees using the Temple's name without authorisation.
• Sell goods or services on Temple premises without permission.
• Conduct commercial activity without appropriate authorisation.
• Misrepresent themselves as Temple staff, priests or representatives.

Please Note: Official donation arrangements should be used whenever possible.

The Temple premises must not be used for unauthorised commercial, promotional or political activity.

No person may distribute advertising, leaflets, promotional materials, or other literature without appropriate permission.

Any authorised activity must comply with Temple policies and applicable law.

All visitors must follow Temple parking and traffic instructions.

DO

• Park only in designated spaces.
• Keep emergency access routes clear.
• Follow signs and instructions from authorised volunteers.
• Drive carefully and consider pedestrians.

DON’T

• Block entrances, exits, emergency routes or disabled access.
• Park in unauthorised areas.
• Drive dangerously on Temple property.
• Leave vehicles in restricted areas without permission.

Everyone must follow emergency instructions. In an emergency:

• Remain calm.
• Follow instructions from Temple representatives and emergency personnel.
• Use designated emergency exits.
• Do not block emergency routes.
• Do not interfere with emergency equipment.
• Do not re-enter an evacuated building until authorised to do so.

Please Note: Any fire, serious injury, or immediate danger should be reported immediately.

Lost property should be handed to an authorised Temple representative.

Visitors should not take property belonging to another person.

If you have lost an item, contact the Temple's designated lost property point.

The Temple cannot guarantee the recovery of lost or unattended property.

Everyone should respect the privacy and dignity of other devotees.

Do not:

Record private conversations without appropriate permission.

Share another person's personal information without lawful justification.

Photograph individuals in sensitive circumstances without appropriate permission.

Use Temple facilities to harass, monitor or intimidate another person.

All persons using the Temple premises must comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Nothing in this Code of Conduct is intended to replace, restrict or override any legal requirement.

Where applicable, the Temple may cooperate with police, emergency services, safeguarding authorities, or other relevant bodies.

The Temple wishes to resolve problems respectfully whenever possible. Depending on the circumstances, an authorised Temple representative may:

1. Politely explain the relevant rules.
2. Ask the person to stop the behaviour.
3. Give a warning.
4. Ask the person to leave the Temple premises.
5. Refuse entry or restrict access where legally permitted and appropriate.
6. Temporarily or permanently prohibit a person from returning to the Temple where justified and lawful.
7. Contact police, emergency services or other appropriate authorities where necessary.

Serious misconduct may result in immediate removal from the premises without a prior warning.

Examples include violence, threats, serious harassment, theft, vandalism, dangerous behaviour, suspected criminal activity, or behaviour creating an immediate safety risk.

Any decision to refuse entry or exclude a person should be made consistently, fairly and in accordance with applicable law.

The Temple reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to refuse entry to or ask a person to leave where their presence or behaviour:

• Creates a safety risk.
• Seriously disrupts worship or Temple activities.
• Breaches these rules.
• Involves threatening, abusive or unlawful conduct.
• Risks damage to Temple property.
• Causes serious distress or harassment to others.
• Otherwise provides a legitimate reason for exclusion under applicable law.

Please Note: Where appropriate, an exclusion may be reviewed by the Temple's authorised management committee.

Visitors are encouraged to raise concerns calmly with Temple management or an authorised representative.

Arguments, shouting, threats, or confrontations should not take place inside the Temple.

Complaints should, wherever possible, be addressed through the Temple's designated complaints procedure.

Priests, trustees, staff, security personnel and authorised volunteers may provide reasonable instructions concerning safety, worship, access, cleanliness and Temple operations.

Visitors are expected to cooperate respectfully.

If a visitor disagrees with an instruction, they should raise the matter through the appropriate complaints or management process rather than causing a disturbance.

• DO respect the Temple and its sacred spaces.
• DO dress modestly and appropriately.
• DO speak quietly and respectfully.
• DO respect priests, volunteers, staff and fellow devotees.
• DO keep the Temple clean.
• DO follow safety instructions.
• DO supervise children in your care.
• DO respect personal boundaries.
• DO follow photography and recording restrictions.
• DO report safety, safeguarding, or security concerns.
• DO cooperate with authorised Temple representatives.

• DON’T fight, threaten or intimidate anyone.
• DON’T harass, bully or discriminate against anyone.
• DON’T use abusive or offensive language.
• DON’T enter restricted areas without permission.
• DON’T smoke or vape where prohibited.
• DON’T bring illegal drugs onto the premises.
• DON’T attend while intoxicated if your condition or behaviour creates a risk or disturbance.
• DON’T steal, damage or misuse Temple property.
• DON’T disrupt prayers or religious ceremonies.
• DON’T photograph or record where prohibited.
• DON’T litter or deliberately create unhygienic conditions.
• DON’T conduct unauthorised commercial, fundraising or promotional activities.
• DON’T block emergency exits, entrances or accessible routes.
• DON’T engage in harassment, unwanted touching, or inappropriate sexual behaviour.
• DON’T ignore reasonable safety instructions.

PLEASE REMEMBER:

The Temple is a place of worship, peace, respect, and community.

We ask every devotee and visitor to behave with kindness, dignity, and consideration for others.

Failure to follow these rules may result in a warning, being asked to leave, refusal of entry or temporary/permanent exclusion, depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the matter and subject to applicable law.

Serious or potentially criminal matters may be referred to the appropriate authorities.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, peaceful, and respectful Temple for everyone.