[KTravel] Korea Templestay
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Templestay, a Journey to Self-Discovery
The sound of temple bells resonates through the mountains, rendering peace in the hearts of temple visitors. A templestay provides sanctuary from the hussle of city life, as well as time and space for meditation and healing. Read on to learn more about this popular traditional culture experience program.
What is Templestay?
Templestay is a unique opportunity to experience Korean Buddhism, its daily lifestyle, rituals and spirituality. It generally entails staying at a Buddhist temple and engaging in daily monastic activities. Today, templestays remain one of the most popular programs among locals and foreigners for experiencing Korean Buddhism.
Templestay Program
Generally, a templestay program includes a Buddhist service, seon meditation, the 108 prostrations, and communal work. Some programs also educate participants on monastic meal offerings and tea ceremonies.
Another common program is lotus lantern making, a form of Buddhist art; the lotus is the symbol of a light shining brightly in the dark world. Lanterns are hung on Buddha’s Birthday, April 8 of the lunar calendar at all the temples and throughout cities across Korea. During the month of Buddha's birthday, a variety of events such as the Lotus Lantern Festival are held throughout the nation, attracting many tourists from near and far.
Temples Offering Regular Templestay Programs for Foreign Nationals
Reservation website (Korean, English)
Seoul
| Myogaksa Temple Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul Website: www.myogaksa.net (Korean, English) |
| Geumseonsa Temple Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul Website: www.geumsunsa.org (Korean only) |
| Bongeunsa Temple Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul Website: www.bongeunsa.org (Korean only) Templestay website: temple.bongeunsa.org (English) |
| International Seon Center Location: Yangcheon-gu, Seoul Website: seoncenter.com (Korean, English) |
Central Region
| Jeondeungsa Temple Location: Incheon Website: jeondeungsa.org (Korean only) |
| Yongjusa Temple Location: Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do Website: www.yongjoosa.or.kr (Korean only) |
| Woljeongsa Temple Location: Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Website: woljeongsa.org (Korean, English) |
Southern Region
| Donghwasa Temple Location: Daegu Website: donghwasa.templestay.com (Korean only) |
| Geumsansa Temple Location: Gimje, Jeollabuk-do Website: geumsansa.com (Korean, English) |
| Seonunsa Temple Location: Gochang, Jeollabuk-do Website: www.seonunsa.org (Korean, English) |
| Mihwangsa Temple Location: Haenam, Jeollanam-do Website: www.mihwangsa.com (Korean, English) |
| Golgulsa Temple Location: Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Website: www.golgulsa.com (Korean only) |
| Haeinsa Temple Location: Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Website: www.haeinsa.or.kr (Korean only) |
| Jikjisa Temple Location: Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do Website: www.jikjisa.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese) |
| Beomeosa Temple Location: Busan Website: www.beomeo.kr (Korean, English) |
| Yakchunsa Temple Location: Jeju-do Website: www.yakchunsa.org (Korean, English, Chinese) |
How to Participate
The Templestay Information Center is located across from Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. The center provides comprehensive information on Templestay and temples that offer templestay programs. The center also provides language assistance in English and reservation services. For those who cannot visit the center in person, reservations can be made through the website.
<Templestay Information Center>
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[full credits to Korea Tourism Organization]
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