Bongeunsa is a 1,200 year-old temple, located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Built in 794 C.E. during the reign of King Wonseong by National Master, Venerable Yeonhoe, Bongeunsa became the head temple of the Seon (Zen) sect during the Joseon Dynasty, when the government supported Confucianism, while suppressing Buddhism.

Owing to the efforts of Ven. Bowu, who devoted himself to the revival of Korean Buddhism, Bongeunsa became a stepping stone for the development of Korean Buddhism.

There is a small monument stone marked ‘Seongkwapyung’ on the road across the main gate of Bongeunsa. The mark indicates that the Buddhist national exams were held there during 1552- 1564. The national exams for recruiting monks, great masters such as Seosan and Samyeong were produced, thus reviving the lineage of Seon (Zen) practice in Korea.

With all the efforts of those masters – Bowoo, Seosan and Samyung – Bongeunsa was able to keep the history and tradition of Korean Buddhism alive during the middle of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, Ven. Younggi brought new energy to the Temple by building the Panjeon to store and preserve Buddhist scriptures, as well as eighty-one engraved volumes of the Abatamsaka Sutra in the late period of the Joseon Dynasty.

Located just across from the COEX trade and exhibition center in southern Seoul, the temple is set amongst skyscrapers and the busy, modern city life and provides peaceful refuge for Seoul citizens as a center of Buddhist practice. Monks apply themselves to chanting, monastic meals, communal work, and Seon meditation.

The temple is also one of the primary tourist destinations for foreign visitors to Seoul, and offers various programs such as a temple stay program in which visitors can experience the life of Buddhist practitioners for one or two days.

The two-day or one-night temple stay program is designed to provide people with an opportunity to take a break from their busy routines and meditate on Buddhist teachings.

Every Thursday, the temple also holds ‘Thursday Temple Life’ for foreign visitors only. The temple has a volunteer group to help and accommodate the needs of foreigners attending the program.

For more information about Bongeunsa and its temple stay program for foreigners, please visit

http://www.bongeunsa.org/eng.
SOURCE: Bongeunsa temple

 
 
 
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