prayer ettiquette in a wheelchair Is it (in a strict view) possible to go to inside a temple/pagoda sanctum with a wheelchair or should it be placed outside? and/or orthotics? Ihave spina bifida and sit mostly in a wheelchair. I can walk a few steps with help but need orthotics to support my ankles (without them its werry difficult to walk because i will stand on my toes.)

I ask cause my friend is buddhist (i write from his account)
Is it (in a strict view) possible to go to inside a temple/pagoda sanctum with a wheelchair or should it be placed outside?


Where do you live or where is the temple you want to go to?

A good idea is to either visit, write or call (if possible) the Temple and ask about their options. Some remote temples might not be accessible via wheelchair due to infrastructure or lack there of.

A list with a couple of places to visit temples:


There is a temple in Canada that is wheelchair-accessible from the backside.
There is also a temple in Thailand.
Wheelchair-accessible Tanah Lot Temple in Bali.
Wheelchair-accessible Sensoji Buddhist Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo.
Recommended Temples to visit in Tokyo with wheelchair-access.
Here is a link to New Kadampa Festival for wheelchair-users.
A great post about a wheelchair-user who visited temples in both Cambodia and Thailand. She mentions that she was able to visit even temples in the remote countryside.



  and/or orthotics?


Regarding the use of orthotics inside Temples is difficult to answer. Many temples require one to remove shoes when entering as a sign of respect. Other temples might give out cloth to wrap over e.g. a shoe or orthotic. There are many ways to show respect. It would be a good idea to also ask about this topic when contacting a temple. Some temples are very strict while others are more relaxed.