Spiritual Interactives

As well as museums, I've visited many temples. Except for the most sacred chambers, the public is normally invited to visit, as they would any museum. This creates an interesting dynamic between museum and spiritual practice. There are usually opportunities to engage in a ritual, such as bell ringing, candle or incense lighting, wishes, offerings, divinations, and blessing rituals. With all due respect for all religions, I've been wondering... how they might be similar to museum interactives?

At the Jeronimos Monastery, in Lisboa, Portugal, you can buy your candle and light it "virtually." The text says "Light a real candle remotely via the CANDLA APP" which can be downloaded by a QR code in the upper corner. I kept wondering if there really was a wax candle being lit in another room? Where the smoke won't damage the building? The prayer is multi lingual, in 5 languages. 

Many temple activities require instruction or mediation to do it "correctly"  but there are always people winging it. In museum education, making is thinking. We make meaning by interacting. At the temple, you could say that making is setting the intention spiritually.