What to Do & see
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- [ Lee Dong-ik of the Buddhist Cultural Center, Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism ]
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- A temple stay is designed to offer those interested a hands-on experience of everyday life in a temple that keeps the prototype Buddhist culture in good condition as well as the life of ascetics, while taking a spiritual break in an atmosphere away from the hectic yet mundane routine of modern life. Temple ‘stayers’ are encouraged to find their true identities through meditation in which they become one with nature.
- During the temple stay program, participants first undergo orientation, in which they participant learn basic temple etiquette, are introduced to the temple, pay homage to Buddha, take part in tea ceremonies, work in teams, and take part in making lotus lamps or rosary beads.
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- Other sessions are offered in addition to the basic program, including hands-on experience of Buddhist cultures and Korean traditional cultures (linked with local history and cultures) and nearby natural surroundings, and sessions for looking back on one’s ego or for seeking spiritual peace.
Each Korean temple has its own unique characteristics from the historical, geographical and cultural perspectives. Some of them offer beautiful natural scenery and traditional resources, while others pay special attention to foreigners, providing interpreters and convenient facilities.
Other programs are offered with the focus on the following: Seonmudo, a Buddhist martial art; Zen-Buddhist meditation; traditional tea ceremonies; meditation on death; brewing a variety of teas; offering prayers of repentance.
- The following table classifies temple stay programs according to their content
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Type Contents
Period
Basic
Homage to Buddha, team work, Zen-Buddhist meditation; 108 bows and tea ceremony. A hands-on experience session may be included, depending on the temple.
2~3 days
Rest
Orientation, homage to Buddha, meal and talks over tea, with the focus on obtaining spiritual peace through the natural and cultural surroundings of temples.
2~7 days
Hands-on experience of Buddhist culture
Offers participants opportunities to experience tangible and intangible features of the country’s Buddhist heritage.
2~3 days
Hands-on experience of traditional culture
Offers participants a hands-on experience of the country’s traditional culture via local events and customs.
2~3 days
Hands-on experience of ecology
Offers participants a hands-on experience of nearby natural surroundings and a renewed vision of the relationship between humans and the environment.
2~3 days
Ascetics
Designed for those wishing to look back on their ego through meditation and obtain spiritual peace.
2~14 days
Temple life
Practice of the Zen-Buddhist meditation, tea ceremony and tea-making, etc. The sessions are designed for foreigners who cannot afford to stay long.
2~3 hours
- Each year, more and more foreigners take part in the program (1,200 in 2002 when the program was first adopted, more than 20,000 in 2008, projected to reach 30,000 in 2009). The following was written by a foreigner about his experience on the program:
- “I came to understand the life of a monk… which is quite hard and unusual to us. I can say that this “monastic” experience is very unique and impressive. It allowed me to see the traditional side of Korea.
I could never do such a thing before, so it was really a very new and fresh experience. It also taught us some Buddhist thought and how not to be greedy, which is conductive to our future life. In one word “Amazing!”
The temple life activity last September 22 was quite a good experience, and I′m sure I would have learned a lot more if the activities had been done with smaller groups, each one in a secluded room attended by a temple host.
Actually, I joined this “calming of the mind” activity with the expectation that we would be taught techniques or skills that we could use right away in our rooms to ward off the stress and worries that people living far away from their families normally have.
As mentioned, it's a good experience to stay in a Buddhist Temple even for one day. Thank you for tirelessly providing us with activities which promote a better understanding of Korean culture.” -
- How to apply for the temple stay program
You may apply either 1) through the homepage (http://www.templestay.com or through the temple where you would like to stay) or 2) by sending an e-mail to [ts2002@buddhism.or.kr] or the temple where you would like to stay). -
- List of the temples that offer an interpretation service for foreigners
http://eng.templestay.com/temple/templelist.asp
