Read more. If you want to learn more about Korean or Buddhist culture, Id have to say that a temple stay in Korea is probably one of the best opportunities to do this. Dont forget Travel Insurance! Looks relaxing and the temples are beautiful, Your email address will not be published. Event Period:Through October 30, 2022 Flowers blooming at Magok-sa Temple. My Beomeosa Temple Stay: Uncovering Korean Buddhist Culture This website is very helpful and will show you where you can do various temple stay experiences across Korea. The Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation will hold a 'Temple Stay Program for Foreigners' to introduce Korean traditional culture to foreigners staying in Korea through October 30 at 13 different locations around the country. Taiwan top issue as Blinken meets China's foreign minister I hope you find what you are looking for and return for more. Bulguksa Temple is one of 30 historic Buddhist temples across the country that allow tourists to stay on site for a short period of time. This is because the main door is reserved for the monks and nuns. Korean Temple Stay at Beomeosa Buddhist Temple () in Busan, South No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Furthermore, youll be able to take part in ceremonies not open to the public, talk with Buddhist monks, and even stay overnight in the temple. Monks generally sleep and rise with the sun, which results in an early night and very early pre-dawn morning. In addition, you can reduce your stress, recharge, and unwind. No not at all! Namely, they are the Dharma drum, the temple bell, the wooden fish and the cloud-shaped gong. Choose the temple for you. This means visitors should refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol while doing their temple stay. Now its time for dinner! Three of the best for tourists and those interested in seeing more about Korean Buddhism include Jogyesa Temple in Insadong, Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, and Geumsunsa Temple in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul. KTX You can book your train tickets online here Korail Train Tickets. The program was launched in 2002, as something of a promotional idea around the time that Korea was hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. 1. International Seon Center Temple Stay, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul Present in the heart city of South Korea, the International Seon Center Temple Stay offers a world-class Korean Temple Stay to both local & foreign travelers. We provide roundtrip transportation and Cultural Commentator on certain dates. Grounded in ancient Confucianism, yet one of the most digitally-connected countries in the world, Korea offers a dynamic cultural mix of long-standing tradition and modern . You will also be given your room for the night. In this travel guide, well show you the best things to do, Read More The Best 4 Day Phuket Itinerary: What To Do (2023)Continue, Melaka is a historically rich city in Malaysia with old heritage buildings, modern cafes and fascinating street art all spread, Read More The Best 2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Things To Do (Malacca)Continue, Smiley Dan in his temple clothes. Breakfast was served around 6 a.m. and then it was time for an early morning sunrise hike to a nearby peak (only 30 minutes away) to watch the sun rise. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! Its all in English and provides lots of essential information. A sublime cultural experience. 2021.10. In fact, some upscale and Michelin-starred restaurants in Seoul have won acclaim for serving contemporary spins on temple food to the masses! Often referred to as the "Land of the Morning Calm," Korea is located at a major crossroad of northeast Asia and is home to nearly 45 million people. These are bows that are somewhat comparable to sun salutations. After breakfast, you have a couple of hours of free time again. Most temples will offer these wonderful experiences. I was in a group with about 20 Korean people and 3 foreigners, the organizers did tell me that sometimes it would be about 20 foreigns and 3 Korean people, it really depends on the . The purpose of a temple stay experience is to get away from your normal routine and focus more on the simpler, more spiritual aspects of life. If youre in Incheon, check out the Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center. Seon is the Korean equivalent to the Japanese Zen mediation practice. It is definitely a unique experience to have a gataway in a millennial Korean Buddhist Temple. Banchan are Korean side dishes. You will learn lots about Korean Buddhism, but previous knowledge or devotion to Buddhism isnt required at all. Around 30 temples offering English temple stay programs are listed on the official Korean temple stay program website. A Buddhist monastery is a place devoted to spiritual practice. Most temple stay accommodations are very well equipped with all the essentials you might need during your stay, but you should still bring some things for your temple stay. I went to sleep straight away because there was an early start planned for the next day. Its sensible to bring along extra layers, just in case. I spent the evening before my departure envisaging the peaceful time I would have at the temple. Smoking, sex (even for married couples), drinking and loud behaviour are off-limits in most Korean temples. Zen retreat: a beginner's guide to Korean temple stays What is a Temple Stay? Korean Buddhism is a 1700-year-old tradition and something that has largely shaped the culture of Korea today. Foreigners at Yongjoosa Temple Stay learn about Korean - YouTube This performance was really inspirational for us and made us super excited about our stay! Magok-sa (magoksa.or.kr) is a beautifully isolated mountain temple offering traditional temple stays that include dawn meditative walks along the riverside and an immersive experience in learning about monastic life. A few people chose to go back to sleep, get ready or explore the temple complex. Floormats, blankets and pillows are provided for sleeping on the floor, and rooms have simple amenities like lights and fans for hot nights. The key aspectscan be broken down into the below: I really appreciated the time that the Monks and Buddhist Missionaries at the temple took to tell me about their backgrounds. This guide covers everything you need to know before your temple stay to make the most of your experience. Baekyangsa. This is approximately $58/40 and includes meals. The coronavirusoutbreak began in China and soon spread across Asia. Participants are also expected to eat temple food and learn the basics of etiquette around monks and temple staff. Booking a temple stay in Korea is easy and you can do it before you arrive with their website. Gift: Pencil Case. This includes the 3.30 am Morning Chants (Ouch! You dont have to be a Buddhist or of any particular religion to join a temple stay experience in Korea. Best Templestay Programs in Seoul, South Korea You can easily register for your temple stay online or visit the Templestay Information Center in Seoul. On their website there are 3 options. The first activity on your schedule is to watch the Sunmudo Performance. Lunch was similar to the other delicious dishes, but we also got to try Injeolmi for the first time (Rice cakes with roasted soy bean powder). The breakfast was rice, kimchi with seaweed and vegetables. I paid $41 to sleep overnight at a Buddhist temple in South Korea, and If you enjoyed reading this article, then please go ahead and share this with your friends on Pinterest. However, I would recommend trying to take part in everything if you can. 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Generally, Korean temples adhere to a meditative form of Buddhism called Seon, better known by its Japanese name: Zen. Of course, you do stay inside a temple building but they look more like rooms from the inside. The Dharma drum blesses all the animals the live on land, the Dharma bell prays for all the beings suffering in hell, the wooden fish blesses all the animals that live in the water, and the cloud-shaped gong is for all the birds in the sky. Flip flops or shower shoes are useful for using communal showers. After that was another exclusive the morning yebool, or chanting ceremony. There are two main ways you can book a temple stay in Korea and both are really easy to do in English. A quick Google search explains. Yes, even Buddhist temples have embraced new technologies in Korea! I reckon those full prostrations have done wonders for my abs! Most temples are located in or near mountains, so outdoor or hiking boots are a must to enjoy your temple stay and its natural surroundings to the fullest. Then, the monks flock to the main prayer hall of the temple and chant and pray together. One of the best things to do in South Korea The Temple stay experience in Korea will show you Korean traditional culture and Korean Buddhism, whilst allowing you to learn more about yourself through meditation or relaxation. Browse Destinations Your email address will not be published. Having such a wonderful experience and interaction in a remote part of Korea that, up until a few weeks prior, I hadnt even heard of, was a reminder of precisely why I love to travel. As you might expect from a place of worship, there are certain things you cant and shouldnt do in a Buddhist temple in Korea. (total 80,000 KWN instead of 60,000 KWN). Alternatively, you can get a taxi to the temple from Gyeongju which is faster. Great for increasing your knowledge about Korean Buddhism. and other non-vegetarians doing the Templestay really enjoyed the food! 40 Funny Korean Signs And Pictures To Make You Giggle, Cafe In Busan Review: Cool Insta-Worthy Cafe Near Haeundae, 60 Easy Korean Phrases For Ordering Food And Eating Out, Best Time To Visit Korea: Your Complete Korean Season Guide, 50 Interesting Facts About South Korea and Korean Culture. The Templestay programme began in 2002 for the World Cup and after having great success, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism chose to make it stay. They do offer to book a taxi for you back to Gyeongju, however, we opted on getting the bus. The Temple Stay program gives you the opportunity to have a one on one discussion with a Monk. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you feel uncomfortable joining in any part, or you dont think you can wake up before the sun rises, then you can choose to miss that activity. Yes! The program was accepting of all religions, and belief systems. Furthermore, you can enjoy cultural activities, including lotus lantern walks and prayer bead making. Try to dress conservatively when you join a temple stay, therefore, dark colours and long sleeves are best. Check the calendar to see if there are any special dates coming up that you might want to visit. If youre visiting Seoul, you can experience a temple stay in places such as Bongeunsa (Gangnam), Geumsunsa (Bukhansan National Park), and even Jogyesa (Insadong). Published : Jun 23, 2023 - 08:01 Updated : Jun 23, 2023 - 08:01. [5] During its 1,700 years of history, Korean Buddhism has preserved and passed down Ganhwa Seon practice, a kind of Seon (Zen) meditation. Everyone eats together in the dining hall and you help yourself to the buffet of amazing food. They took us to Gampo beach for walking and meditation. An Honest Overview, What Is The Korea Tour Card? The evening ceremony has a similar schedule and ends before bedtime at 9 PM. Privacy Policy, 2021 Linda Goes East | All Rights Reserved | Site Developed by Jasmine. Some temple stays are also open to kids and families, but not all are, so if youre planning to travel with your family, enquire with the temple in advance. You shouldnt need to speak Korean to do a temple stay in Korea, The temple stay website is in English and there are usually English speaking staff at the temple to help tourists who join the program. Indeed the Korean temple stay schedules are a great opportunity for self discover and reflection. Yes!! A monk will instruct you on the proper posture to clear your mind. The temple will offer you a place to escape the busy modern world and learn to recharge through meditation and Buddhist ceremonies.
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