16 Temples Offering Regular Temple Stay Programs for Foreign Nationals

As of 2012, there are about 120 Buddhist temples that run temple stay programs. Below is a list of 16 temples operating temple stay programs for foreign nationals.

[Photo courtesy of Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism]

Seoul

• Myogaksa Temple Stay

Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
Myogaksa Temple runs a one-night, two-day temple stay program and a one-day temple life program. Participants can enjoy a unique evening bell striking ritual overlooking downtown Seoul while the sun is setting.

• Geumseonsa Temple Stay

Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
Geumseunsa Temple runs a regular temple stay program on weekends, a relaxation-type temple stay program on weekdays, and a three-hour long temple life program. The relaxation-type temple stay program offers plenty of free time to explore the temple. All digital devices are prohibited at this temple.

• Bongeunsa Temple Stay

Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul-si
Bongeunsa Temple runs a one-night, two-day temple stay program and a foreigners-only temple life program that runs every Thursday. The temple life program takes 2.5 hours, and includes a temple tour, tea ceremony, and lotus flower craft.

• International Seon Center Temple Stay

Location: Yangcheon-gu, Seoul-si
The International Seon Center of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism runs a variety of temple stay programs for those seeking to learn and experience Korean Buddhism in the heart of Korea’s capital city. The center offers a Seon meditation program, relaxation-type temple stay, temple food experience program, Korean Buddhist traditional culture experience program, and Dharma talk in English.

Central Region

• Jeondeungsa Temple Stay

Location: Ganghwa-gun, Incheon-si
Jeondeungsa Temple offers several different temple stay programs. The one-night, two-day experience-style temple stay is organized on weekends, while the relaxation-type temple stay programs allow participants to stay for up to one week. In addition, the temple operates forest path walking meditation on the nearby Jeongjoksan Mountain.

• Yongjusa Temple Stay

Location: Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
Yongjusa Temple offers Buddhism experience, relaxation-type and meditation temple stay programs. The Filial Piety Education Center, in particular, offers special educational programs for cultural understanding.

• Woljeongsa Temple Stay

Location: Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Famous for the walk through the fir tree grove on Odaesan Mountain, Woljeonsa Temple runs regular and special temple stay programs. The regular program is tailored to meet specific time needs of participants, while the special program offers various events including summer camp, heart healing program, and regional tour.

Southern region

• Donghwasa Temple Stay

Location: Dong-gu, Daegu-si
Donghwasa Temple runs Buddhism-experience, relaxation-type and practice-focused temple stay programs. Special activities include Seon meditation at the stupa, and meditation under the stars. The temple also offers a one-day temple life program, comprised of a temple tour, *monastic meal, and *tea ceremony.

• Geumsansa Temple Stay

Location: Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
The Geumsansa temple stay is known as one of the most well-organized temple stays with high ratings. The dialogue with the monk offers an opportunity for participants to ask questions about Buddhism, and also consult the monk on their worries. The temple offers Buddhism experience and rural village exploration temple stay programs. Every October, the temple invites previous temple stay participants to the Homecoming temple stay program.

• Seonunsa Temple Stay

Location: Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Seonunsa Temple runs Buddhism-experience, relaxation-type and thematic temple stay programs. The Buddhist experience program runs on weekends, and includes *monastic meals and *108 prostrations. The relaxation-type program runs on weekdays, and includes preparing a meal for the monks, followed by an evening service. Participants may request a dialogue with a monk.

• Mihwangsa Temple Stay

Location: Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
Mihwangsa Temple offers flexible temple stay programs, including short-term relaxation-type programs, and a seven-night, eight-day practice-focused program featuring intensive Seon meditation.

☞ Related column
An Overnight Temple Stay at Mihwangsa Temple in Haenam

• Golgulsa Temple Stay & Seonmudo Experience

Location: Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Golgulsa Temple monks and members practice Seomudo martial arts and Seom meditation. Accordingly, the temple’s temple stay program, offered all year round, also includes these practices. Beginners of Seomudo are taught to relax their body and mind through Seom Buddhist yoga.

• Haeinsa Temple Stay

Location: Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Haeinsa Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Korea, runs one-night, two-day Buddhism-experience and one-night, two-day relaxation-type temple stay programs.

☞ Related column Haeinsa Temple Stay

• Jikjisa Temple Stay

Location: Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jikjisa Temple runs a one-day Buddhism-experience temple stay program on the first Monday of every month, and the “sharing” temple stay program on the second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays of every month. Other programs include practice-focused and relaxation-type, as well as group temple stay designed for corporations and institutions.

• Beomeosa Temple Stay

Location: Geumjeong-gu, Busan-si
Beomeosa Temple offers a Buddhism-experience temple stay program with an emphasis on such practices as *Buddhist service, *108 prostrations, *tea ceremony and Seon meditation. It also offers a relaxation-type temple stay program that includes *Seon meditation and tea time with the monk. Upon request, the temple may host ecology experience and group temple stay programs.

• Yakcheonsa Temple Stay

Location: Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Yakcheonsa Temple runs a basic temple stay program focused on *Buddhist service and *Seon meditation, temple practice, temple culture and Jeju ecology. The Jeju ecology experience program is designed to experience the island’s nature; spring activities include harvesting wild herbs and vegetables, while summer and fall activities include picking mandarin oranges and dyeing fabric with mandarin orange peels.

※ All temple stay programs are subject to change, as unforeseen circumstances may arise at the host temples. Please check the availability and schedule of each program in advance with the Temple Stay Information Center or the respective host temple before making a visit or a reservation.
※ The following website provides information on other temples that offer temple stay programs for foreign nationals:
http://eng.templestay.com/reservation/temple_list.asp?cid=9

☞ Related columns :
Major Buddhist Temples in Korea
Overview: Korean Buddhism
Meaning and Symbolism Found in Korean Temples

Last updated on September 19, 2012.

 

 

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