Bongeunsa temple represents the time-honored Buddhism in Korea

Bongeunsa is one of the most historic Buddhist temples in Korea representing 1,200 years of history and tradition of the country’s Buddhism. Venerable Yeonhue, the national Master Monk of the Unified Silla dynasty, founded the Bongeun Temple in the 10th year of King Wonseong’s reign (794) on the slopes of Sudo Mountain in Seoul.

There is a small monument stone marked ‘Seongkwa-pyung’ on the road across the main gate of Bongeunsa. That marks indicates that Buddhist National Exam was held there from 1552 to 1564. This place has important meaning in the history of Korean Buddhism. Many Seon masters, such as Seosan and Samyung were among those selected through the exam.

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 citizens and visitors to the temple.

The temple is one of the primary tourist destinations for foreign visitors to Seoul, and offers various programs such as the temple stay program in which participants can experience the life of Buddhist practitioners for one or two days. The two-day, 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 the temple, please visit the website (www.bongeunsa.org).

Temple Stay will help you find your true self

Why don’t you join the temple stay program, if you are seeking inner peace and healing away from the stressful and hectic urban life?

The whole world slumbers in the dark hours before dawn, but as the majestic temple bell tolls, it awakens the universe, and the day begins in the mountain temple, as it has for the past 1,700 years. The temple stay offers a special cultural experience that allows people to get a taste of the incredible cultural heritage that has blossomed during the five thousand years of Korean history, as well as experience the cultural consciousness transmitted throughout Korean Buddhist history. The temple stay is open to anyone who wants to discover your true inner self. It will allow you to clear your mind so that you can have a wider experience of the world, serving as a turning point when you return to your everyday life. As the temple stay programs has grown in popularity among not only Koreans but also foreign visitors to Korea, some Buddhist temples in the country run their own temple stay programs. During the one-night, two-day stay in a temple, you will have opportunities to experience and study various aspects of Buddhist life, including meditation and the Buddhist vegetarian meal.

You will be able to learn the Buddhist method of eating ecologically, called BaruGongyang (monastic formal meal), which allows one to live in harmony with nature. Through the practice of Dado (tea ceremony) you can find true stillness and tranquility in a cup of tea. While walking along a peaceful forest path, you can listen to your inner voice.

For more information about temple stay programs in Korea, you can visit http://eng.templestay.com.

 
 
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