Therefore, if and when you prostrate to a Sangha member, you should do so with the attitude that you are paying respect to the Three Jewels which that individual represents. You are not bowing down, or worshipping, the individual. Likewise, monks and nuns should not see themselves as something special when people prostrate to them. They should view themselves as if they were Buddha statues.

Lay people do not have to prostrate to monks, nuns and masters when they meet them in informal situations, but they can if they want to. There are special circumstances, such as on retreats, when prostrations become part of the practice and daily ritual; and after morning services, it is accepted practice to prostrate to the teacher out of gratitude for his or her teachings. This is the Chinese Buddhist tradition. Whether this tradition continues in the West depends on causes and conditions.

Monks and nuns prostrate to each other on special occasions; or when meeting one another for the first time or after a long absence. If Sangha members see each other every day, it is not necessary to prostrate. Also, if monks and nuns see their teacher every day, it is not necessary to prostrate. However, if they have an important question relating to practice, then they should prostrate to the teacher. At other times, a simple bow will suffice