There are many different experiences to be had at a temple stay, but most include a temple tour, tea time with Sunim (a Korean Buddhist monk), and a taste of temple culture. Tell me about your temple stay experience : korea - Reddit When are you likely to be able to experience something like a temple stay again? Pre-planning travel to a country like Korea is really helpful as there are lots of things to consider when you travel. Sign up for a special templestay program at Bongsunsa Temple in Namyangju City, a short distance east of Seoul, and enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery of Gwangneung forest while diving in to the world of Buddhism! Hi, can you tell me which program you chose. This is a 2-night 3-day program that is a combination of the existing two programs; the regular type and relaxing type of templestay. Now its time for dinner! I went to sleep straight away because there was an early start planned for the next day. One of the most common activities on the temple stay in Korea is the 108 prostrations. We walked around the temple complex talking about the day and breathing the fresh nature air. Booking a temple stay in Korea is pretty straightforward. korea temple stay for foreigners | KoreaTravelEasy Generally, there are three different types of temple stays in South Korea. Having the opportunity to watch this ceremony is almost magical. A stay at Baekyangsa, including sampling food from Jeong Kwan, can cost 150,000 KRW (132 USD). Temple Stay in Korea: Everything You Need to Know, What to bring for your Temple Stay in Korea, Comfortable Outdoor Shoes or Hiking Boots. It was great for us to meet lots of new people, however, it meant that we were split into two groups (English speaking and Korean speaking)! Flip flops or shower shoes are useful for using communal showers. Firstly, practice mental discipline and concentration through the processes involved in creating the perfect cup of tea. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment. December 4, 2018 As the nationwide 'Temple Stay Weeks for Foreigners' program has come to an end, I reflect on a tiring but very enjoyable overnight experience at Beomeosa Temple in Geumjeong. Booking a temple stay in Korea is easy and you can do it before you arrive with their website. Balwoogongyang is the traditional method of eating a meal at Buddhist temples. Heres the link for Golgulsa Templestay Reservations. You wake up at 5 am to the sound of chanting from the monks and then you have to join them at 5:30 am for meditation. Learn how your comment data is processed. Templestay is a cultural programme unique to South Korea. Kate Taylor Feb 25, 2020, 19:38 IST Advertisement I booked an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple in Seoul during a recent trip to South Korea. There will be certain areas where you cant take pictures, such as inside the temple during worship hours. Meditation activites are often seated, sometimes in the temple grounds or outside at a beautiful natural spot. This means visitors should refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol while doing their temple stay. Having to re-tie your shoelaces each time you enter and exit a room is exhausting. Im not a religious person, my decision to participate in this program, was more one of intrigue and a desire to learn more about the principles of Buddhism, and what goes on behind the scenes of the many temples I have visited across the Asian continent. Monks generally sleep and rise with the sun, which results in an early night and very early pre-dawn morning. Monasteries do not provide temple stay visitors with toiletries or towels. In some ways, they could be compared to Spanish tapas or Greek meze. Two monks play the instruments in tandem in the morning and in the evening. Get your digital copy of this weeks Stripes Korea. You can find temples in every major region of Korea, including on Jeju Island. ), 108 prostrations/bows (again, ouch! It was really interesting to learn about the rich history of this temple and how Korean Buddhism has evolved in Korea. Try to dress conservatively when you join a temple stay, therefore, dark colours and long sleeves are best. Definitely worth adding to your bucket list for South Korea and if you need any more help planning send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below! You can opt out at any time. No, you dont have to be religious to take part in a temple stay. By Amy and Dan June 16, 2022 Are you thinking about spending the night at Golgulsa Templestay? I knew being British would come in useful at some point in life! As we woke up at 5 am, we were super hungry and excited for lunch! What Are The Best Things To Do In Seoul In Any Season? No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 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. Privacy Policy, 2021 Linda Goes East | All Rights Reserved | Site Developed by Jasmine. Looks relaxing and the temples are beautiful, Your email address will not be published. LIKE THIS POST? In the evening, we ate dinner with the monks (yummy vegan home-cooked food), took a night time walk with lanterns through the temple after dark, then got an early night. As such, you can inquire within about making a reservation. Korean Buddhism is a 1700-year-old tradition and something that has largely shaped the culture of Korea today. Overall, I had a fascinating, relaxing, insightful time during my temple stay experience and I would highly recommend it to others. (Female and male are separate) We share more info about accommodation below! Once you arrive at Golgulsa Temple, youll be provided with linen for the bed and clothes to wear for your stay (large baggy clothes). You can use your phone during certain times, but it is advised that you dont. You dont need to speak Korean to book at most temples and it is sometimes possible to pay for the temple stay experience when you arrive. Contact Me Yes!! Visiting Buddhist temples in Korea is generally free. Thanks for understanding. We said goodbye to the host and the monks before leaving. Korean Buddhist Monks follow a vegan diet. Bug spray can come in handy, especially during summer months. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang greeted Mr Blinken and his group at the door to a villa in the grounds of Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest House, rather than inside the building as is customary . During the temple stay experiences I have been on, there are often people from around the world, with a variety of different backgrounds and native languages. It was definitely busier as it was a weekend, however, that was a bonus because we got to meet so many lovely people from both Korea and other places in the world. Seasonal programs are also occasionally hosted on specific Korean national and religious holidays. You can experience so much more and be part of various ceremonies that arent normally available to people outside of the temple. A Foreigner's Guide to Templestay Korea. Do you have any additional questions about organising a temple stay in Korea? By practising Seon meditation you will be able to learn your true nature and discover inner peace. Temple Stay in Korea: What to Expect [2023 Guide] If you want to use your phone to take pictures, its best to ask before you do. You know Buddhism, Temple, Mountain View It must just be a lot of sitting around drinking Green Tea and meditating. Italy is currently dealing with the largest outbreak of the coronavirus outside Asia. Its one of the best Templestays in South Korea and you can experience Sunmudo, archery, the practice of 108 prostrations and meditation. Flowers blooming at Magok-sa Temple. Secondly, harness all your senses whilst you prepare and drink the tea in quiet contemplation. Visiting Seoul on a budget? Not every temple is open to international participants, though, so its best to enquire with the specific temple or the Templestay organisation before booking. It allows guests to experience the life of Buddhist monks in Korea, theyre all so welcoming. Each temples program differs slightly, but most incorporate meditation and prostrations (bowing to the Buddha), though some are more rigorously spiritual than others. Ever explored a Buddhist temple and wondered what all the interesting statues, patterns, and symbols meant? They do offer to book a taxi for you back to Gyeongju, however, we opted on getting the bus. Thank you. This program is great for people who would like to participate in a temple stay but cannot stay overnight or for travelers with limited time to experience the Buddhist culture of Korea. The accommodation options at Golgulsa Temple are simple and exactly what you need for your stay. The spaces did not sell out, however, your spot needs to be booked online. People of any faith can participate in a temple stay and you can certainly learn a lot and broaden your mind by joining in this experience. No, you dont need to speak any Korean. You should also wear socks at all times. For a small feeanywhere between 30,000-70,000 Korean Won (about 30-70 USD)visitors can stay overnight in one of the several participating temples across the country, and experience authentic . 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. The below list of activities are the most common at a temple stay in Korea. These sustainable and "unfolding" tiny houses are a creation of Latvian company Brette Haus and they serve a wide range of purposes. Privacy Policy, Incredible 10 Day South Coast Sri Lanka Itinerary, The Best El Nido Itinerary: 3 Days in El Nido, Top 8 Vegan Restaurants in Koh Samui, Thailand 2023, 2 Week Cambodia Itinerary: Best Places to Visit in Cambodia (2023), The Best 4 Day Phuket Itinerary: What To Do (2023), The Best 2 Day Melaka Itinerary: Things To Do (Malacca). Everyone eats together in the dining hall and you help yourself to the buffet of amazing food. Female and male are both separate and you stay either in bunk beds or Korean style on the floor with bedding. Of course, you do stay inside a temple building but they look more like rooms from the inside. 3am. Temple Stay - Wikipedia I went on templestay in a group of forty foreigners (we were all teaching an English summer camp) last year. All rights reserved. I wanted to experience Korea away from the hustle and bustle of city life. You wont be pushed to become a Buddhist, either. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have the coronavirus and are in hospital in Australia, as the World Health Organizarion declares the illness a pandemic. A few people chose to go back to sleep, get ready or explore the temple complex. All of these temples also offer English temple stay programs for foreigners. So we only caught the end and it was impressive to know that so many bows take place. [5] During its 1,700 years of history, Korean Buddhism has preserved and passed down Ganhwa Seon practice, a kind of Seon (Zen) meditation. ), meditation, tea ceremonies, and mealtimes. Your feet crunch in the dark, making their way up to the daeungjeon, the main hall. Woljeongsa. You can truly practise meditation and learn Sunmudo which is great for the body and mind. The evening ceremony has a similar schedule and ends before bedtime at 9 PM. Its totally worth it! Templestay | Finding your 'True-self' Although there is Wifi in the reception area of the temple. Foreigners stay in the same place as Koreans. Youll learn the precise etiquette and actions for bowing before you attend any prayer services. Great for increasing your knowledge about Korean Buddhism. Temple staff will teach you how to do this. Travel Insurance SafetyWingNomad Insurance. Beopjusa is a popular temple for foreigners to do templestay and offer everything in English. Its also perfectly comfortable and I had no complaints. The coronavirusoutbreak began in China and soon spread across Asia. We missed the first part of this as we were still doing our Sunmudo training. As its buffet-style, you can simply come back up for more if youre still hungry. Especially now that we know how peaceful and fun it can be to do a Templestay in Korea. I turned my favorite travel shots into prints and postcards. You will be provided with comfortable temple stay clothing for the duration of your stay. Seon meditation focuses on clearing your mind of thoughts, allowing you to learn mindfulness and concentration. The program, which. The Templestay website is the best place to book your Temple stay in Korea. Temple Exchange: Korea. It is now one of the most successful culture and tourism programmes in Korea with many foreigners and Koreans staying in temples every year. Jeollanam-do. 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. Korean Temple Stay: Spiritual Nourishment for Your Soul Doing a temple stay in South Korea allows you to experience monastic life and the history and culture of Korean Buddhism at a traditional temple. Living inside a Unesco World Heritage Site sounds like a tourism fantasy, but in South Korea it's a reality, thanks to the country's nationwide Templestay programme, which lets . If youre not comfortable doing it, you can grab a mat and watch from the side instead. We all eat at the same time, including the staff and the monks. Generally, though, the best way to book a temple stay in Korea is via the Templestay website. Templestay | The Official Travel Guide to Seoul Korean Fan Death Myth Explained, 10 Best Mountains To Hike In Korea At Any Time. It's one of the best Templestays in South Korea and you can experience Sunmudo, archery, the practice of 108 prostrations and meditation. This guide covers everything you need to know before your temple stay to make the most of your experience. Since 2002, the Templestay program founded by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the prevailing school of Buddhism in Korea has allowed visitors to experience monastic life firsthand across 30 different temples. This can change depending on the day of the week you visit. Jogyesa. I love temple stays so much that I recommended it as one of my top 10 day trips out of Seoul. This post may contain affiliate links. Hi, for travellers, would it be weird to bring along the luggage to the temple stay? This performance was really inspirational for us and made us super excited about our stay! You can also find out more here Golgulsa Temple Sunmudo Website. Our research purpose is to investigate visitors experiences and to find the factors that influence the most their positive memories and future behavioral intentions. Jjimjilbang literally "heated rooms" arean essential part of South Korean culture. Taiwan top issue as Blinken meets China's foreign minister Its important to know that you should be on time for all of your activities and youll be given a schedule of where you need to be. 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. The temple stay program is designed to welcome foreigners and therefore there are guides who can speak English, as well as translate anything the monks might say. There are various activities at a temple stay in Korea and each temple provides its own program. (30krw for a pre-schooler). 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. With over 25 temples offering temple stay programs in English, the choice is all yours! You dont have to be in your home country to start it and you can add months to your trip whenever you need to! The Temple Stay program gives you the opportunity to have a one on one discussion with a Monk. This is actually really hard, but then also a good test of devotion, I guess. I do lean towards Mahayana, so I had no problem with the program being from the Jogyesa Order (Seon). Required fields are marked *. This is the perfect chance to disconnect with technology and reconnect with nature and gain some inner peace. Temple food is strictly vegan and one should only grab as much food as one can eat never wasting any of the dishes. 2. Korean Buddhist food is often overlooked in favour of barbecue and other meat plentiful dishes. Thanks to the Netflix show The Chefs Table, Baekyangsa Temple where Nun Jeongkwan resides has become the most famous temple for Korean temple food. You have to arrive at Golgulsa Temple before 14:30 to check in and change into your temple clothes. I opted to participate in a Korea Temple Stay at Beopjusa Temple. And after the meal, each participant is expected to clean their own bowl and chopsticks. Theres a wide variety of choice, ranging from really remote temples to quick getaways near Seoul designed for weekend rejuvenation. If you are around Korea for a while keep checking the temple stay website. Templestay is a unique cultural program which lets you experience the life of Buddhist practitioners at traditional temples which preserve the 1700 year old history of Korean Buddhism.. Templestay is an experiential program in Korean Buddhism initiated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism at the onset of the 2002 World Cup. For example, you can choose by region or by theme. Once youve made your way to the temple, its time to check in! In order to show their appreciation, they will bow 108 times. There was a welcome ceremony that explained what we could expect, the rules we had to follow, and a chance to ask some questions. Heres our in-depth travel guide to help you plan your trip, Read More The Best El Nido Itinerary: 3 Days in El NidoContinue, Searching for vegan restaurants in Koh Samui? Stars hover over a misty mountain temple. It is common for these temples to have plaques on site depicting their participation. Now you can find out with an English guided tour around the temple. No meat or animal products are permitted on the holy premises. The cost for the "Temple Stay" might vary depending on the location and the number of days, but usually goes from 40,000 Korean won (USD $35) to 80,000 Korean won (USD $70). Come join us for a Korean Temple Stay at Beomeosa Buddhist Temple () located in a gorgeous mountain setting just outside of Busan, South Korea. So we recommend you to stay one more day and make good memories in this special place. In addition, sitting or writing on any sculptures is strongly prohibited. In addition, you can reduce your stress, recharge, and unwind. Its honestly delicious and they encourage you to only take what you will eat to avoid any waste. Book here Golgulsa Weekend Templestay, You can stay at Golgulsa Temple all year round, which means you can come to the temple to relax and breathe away from the cities. The morning prayer starts just after 4 AM with the playing of the four Dharma instruments: the Dharma drum, Dharma bell, wooden fish, and cloud-shaped gong. Learning Sunmudo is a unique experience at Golgulsa Temple and the monks here will show you how they train. On their website there are 3 options. Choose the temple for you. All of these temples are easily accessible by bus or subway and surrounded by mountains. Facebook:Stars and StripesPacific However, very rarely will we bear witness to their activities. Spiritual drumming is carried out by Temple Monks during the mornings and evenings at Korean temples. Sunmudo is a Korean Buddhist martial art. Read our Privacy Policy. These are offered to foreigners to introduce them to the Korean culture and sometimes used to 'spend the surplus the temple made the previous calendar year'. You dont need to get properly ready for the day at this point as youll have more time after breakfast. It is typical for all of the temple residents and volunteers to work together to prepare the food and then clean the kitchen afterwards. Living Like a Monk in Korea at Beopjusa Temple - Bobo and ChiChi The practice involved physically lowering our bodies and humbling our selfish egos before the universe in order to gain a deeper connection with the world. Most temples are located high in the mountains, which can be quite cool even in summer. Ever since Korea opened up the Templestay programme officially, Golgulsa Temple is one of the most popular temples to stay at. PIN IT FOR LATER & SHARE IT WITH OTHERS! The Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation will hold a 'Temple Stay Week for Foreigners' to introduce Korean traditional culture to foreigners staying in Korea from the 5th to the 30th of this month.During this period, a Temple Stay can be experienced at up to an 80% discount at 39 temple stays across the country, including Busan's Beomeosa and Hongbeopsa Temple.These programs include . Personally, Id recommend making time for a weekend at a temple in one of the national parks. There is no specific best time to visit Golgulsa Temple. The final activity of the program was also one of the best a tea ceremony and question and answer session with one of the monks. Alternatively, you can visit the Temple Stay Information Centre in Insadong, Seoul. It was amazing to explore somewhere that wasnt on our South Korea itinerary, Gampo Beach was full of campers! We even walked on our hands and knees which was probably the hardest part, for us. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This wonderful scheme lets you experience a temple stay in Korea, certainly a unique experience you wont find in other countries. The temple stay gave me a chance to. Every temple stay is based on Buddhism. Also, activities can change depending on the weather! It offers various kind of temple food like fine dining that has fascinated many Koreans. We checked the website regularly the month before and decided to book it 2 weeks before we wanted to arrive. Monks and nuns live very simple lives in the temples. You can spend 1 or 2 days here looking at the sights, shopping or eating. Published : Jun 23, 2023 - 08:01 Updated : Jun 23, 2023 - 08:01. Bus Head to Express Bus Terminal and get a bus to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal (4 hours) You may need to book your bus in advance, you can do this online with a Korean phone number or purchase a ticket at the bus station when you first arrive in Seoul. Remember, this is a sacred place for the monks and nuns, therefore, try to avoid loud noises, smoking, or drinking alcohol in the temple grounds. A temple stay in Korea will give you an unmissable chance to experience the life of Korean Buddhist monks. If youre looking for fun and unique things to do in Fayetteville, North Carolina, start with these 11 places. A Foreigner's Guide to Templestay Korea - AmongMen The monks and staff at the temple stay were very accommodating in my temple stay experiences. If youre staying for one night, youll be given 3 meals. Its very important to only take the food youll eat, as its not kind to leave any wasted food. 11 Incredible Off the Beaten Path Places to Visit in Turkey in 2023, 63 Lovely Quotes About Sicily to Inspire You to Visit. Once youve reached Gyeongju, you can catch a bus (150 / 100 / 100-1 around 50 minutes) to the Andong bus stop and from there its a 15-minute walk to Golgulsa Temple. Each temple will design its own program and activities based on its unique location and particular spiritual focus. During your Templestay in Korea, its possible to join in with these bows. 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. Meat is not offered within the temple, following Buddhist traditions. Yebool is the opening chant to start the day and offers the chance for self-reflection and purification for the day ahead. It was so rewarding to have this experience with Buddhist monks here in Korea. This is approximately $58/40 and includes meals. 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. The site allows you to search for temples by region and program type. Templestay | Finding your 'True-self' This program involves having a cup of traditionally brewed tea with a local monk. By this time we were all hungry and went for lunch with the monks again. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Meanwhile, other temples permit you to stay for several weeks, or even months at a time. There are four special instruments that are used for this process. Ive done a temple stay in Korea several times and absolutely loved it. A Buddhist monastery is a place devoted to spiritual practice. Clothing is to be clean and conservative You will be provided with Monastic wear upon arrival. Then, the monks flock to the main prayer hall of the temple and chant and pray together. They dont close, which means you have four seasons to choose from. Accommodations at Korean temples are simple, clean and usually fairly modern. These types of prayer beads are traditional prayer tools in Korean Buddhism. Your email address will not be published. The one day temple stay option is best for those with a limited time in Korea. In November, Templestay has been running discounted programs at 39 temples around the country. You wont need to know any Korean to book these, dont worry. This made it easier for the monks as there were definitely more Korean visitors. 176 Samhwa-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do ( 176) Baekheungam () Korean Temple food is much more palatable than you may first imagine. Image by Megan Eaves / Lonely Planet, Zen retreat: a beginner's guide to Korean temple stays. Many temple stay programs offer Seon meditation classes allowing participants to self-reflect and find inner peace during their stay. The program was launched in 2002, as something of a promotional idea around the time that Korea was hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. After that was another exclusive the morning yebool, or chanting ceremony. This is an impressive amount considering the countrys relatively compact size. The meditation was a good way to start the day and then we all joined in with walking meditation on the way to the dining hall. The event is being held to provide foreigners living in Korea with the opportunity to experience temple stay as part of their Korean cultural experience. 10 Traditional Temple Stays In South Korea She travelled to Korea with support from the Korea Tourism Organisation (, A guide to the best street food in South Korea, South Korea on a budget: the 26 best free things to do in Seoul, Lonely Planet's guide to visiting a Korean bathhouse for the first time, Top 11 things to do in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for couples, families and history buffs, This tiny home folds up so you can transport it anywhere, Coronavirus dispatches: writers around Asia share their experiences, Tom Hanks has COVID-19 - here's how widespread the infection is globally, Eat like a local when you travel with this new social app, Travel advice and screenings: how Europe is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. They are usually located in national parks or similar beautiful surroundings. What it is REALLY Like to Live on a Greek Island. 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. The first activity on your schedule is to watch the Sunmudo Performance. Zen retreat: a beginner's guide to Korean temple stays Our schedule started at 4 a.m. with a music performance by the monks, as shown in the picture above. Smoking, sex (even for married couples), drinking and loud behaviour are off-limits in most Korean temples. I was with about 20 other people from Korea and around the world who all joined this temple stay program. Firstly, you can book a temple from the Temple Stay website. Over 6 million have participated in temple-life experience programs over the past decades, with foreigners accounting for 11 . These are bows that are somewhat comparable to sun salutations. There are numerous Buddhist temples across the country that participate in this cultural program. Here is an idea of the range of prices you can expect to pay: One day temple stay 10,000 50,000 won, Overnight temple stay 50,000 80,000 won per night.
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