Why should the threshold of the temple be built so high?
For Buddhist disciples who become monks in monasteries, when they enter Buddhism and escape into an empty door, their hearts will be separated from the secular world. This threshold is opposite to the fence in people's hearts. Once they cross it, they will put worldly fame and fortune behind them, devote themselves wholeheartedly to the embrace of the Buddha, and feel the indifference, freedom, solemnity and sacredness of the Buddha with a pure and kind heart.
Why can't the temple threshold be stepped on?
The custom of avoiding stepping on the threshold began in the pre-Qin period. When courtiers came in and out of the monarch's portal, they could only walk sideways and not step on the threshold. The threshold is often the distinction of identity, and the reason why this custom existed in the pre-Qin period was the gift of the monarch and the minister. Later, it evolved into the level of family status.
In addition, the threshold also has the function of shielding dirt and avoiding evil spirits. A threshold is placed horizontally at the door, symbolizing the erection of a wall to keep out all bad things, especially those ghosts, to ensure the safety and happiness of the family.
Anyone who has been to the temple will find that the threshold of the Buddhist temple is very high. Of course, the threshold of Buddhist temples is so high, not only because people are afraid to step on the threshold. The threshold of Buddhist temples is so high because it contains profound significance. As long as you step into this threshold, you will leave the secularity behind and feel the solemnity and sacredness at the foot of the Buddha with a pure and kind heart. You can't step on the threshold of the temple, because the Buddha is very taboo about feet and thinks that feet are dirty.
So it is disrespectful to step on the threshold in the temple. For people or because they accidentally stepped on the threshold, the threshold in the temple is very high. There is a saying in Buddhism that the threshold of a temple is Sakyamuni's shoulder, and stepping on the threshold is disrespectful to the Buddha. There is a similar legend that the threshold of the temple is the forehead of the Buddha, and stepping on it is regarded as disrespectful to the Buddha and will be punished.