Stay overnight in a Buddhist temple
The cloistered life of a Buddhist monk is one that few outsiders ever experience. The heightened awareness, serenity and composure that the monks achieve by following their chosen path is evident, but much about their daily routine remains a mystery. Staying overnight in a Buddhist temple, waking with the monks before dawn and taking meals together, gives you an immersive taste of monastic life and a chance to begin learning about the distinct traditions of Korean Buddhism.
Those which open their doors to overnight visitors range from traditional mountain retreats to modern sanctuaries in the centre of the city. Select the best location for your needs and your experience will reflect the individuality of the temple you choose.
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As you enter the temple complex, tranquillity descends like a bubble, gently shutting out the noise and stress of the world. Your guide will take time to explain the customs and rules, as well as the temple’s history and current practices, on your orientation tour. Practical activities are used as meditations in Korean Buddhism, and you may be invited to join in with preparing food or creating art and crafts.
What to expect on a Buddhist monastery stay in South Korea:
Enjoy the monastery’s simple surroundings & basic but comfortable amenities.
Meet the resident monks, learn about their daily routines, and join them for meals and worship.
Relax into the mood of tranquillity & contemplation, and take a break from the rush and stress of everyday life.
Dine on healthy, plant-based dishes, prepared in the monastery kitchen using fresh, local ingredients.
Participate in daily worship and mindful practice with the monks.
Monastic life
Many of South Korea’s Buddhist temples welcome overnight visitors, allowing you to experience a taste of the life of a Buddhist monk, and offering the opportunity to take a step back from the usual rush. There are hundreds of these tranquil temples and monasteries scattered throughout the country, demonstrating the high importance of Buddhist philosophy and teachings in South Korea. Dine with the resident monks, join in with the evening worship, or just observe, and settle into the community’s measured, thoughtful rhythms.
Tea & ceremony
The Da-Seon ceremony engages all five senses in the brewing and drinking of tea. From the warmth of the cup against your skin to the eventual bitter taste, this ancient method of achieving mindfulness forms an essential element of the monastic day. Following a simple, communal meal, your guides will lead you in another form of meditation, Korean Cham-Seon, and in the 108 Prostrations where the monks perform repeated bowing to show reverence to Buddha’s humble life.
Dawn chorus & serene meditation
Having gone to bed early with a peaceful mind, wake before dawn to greet the morning refreshed. Yebool, the first ceremony of the day, when the monks gather together to chant and pay their respects to Buddha, is held as the sun rises. Listening to the chanting wash over you is both uplifting and reviving, leaving you ready to assist with the communal work of the monastery before heading out for a meditation in the fresh air. Surrounded by the greenery of the woodland or mountainous landscape, your guide will lead you in a meditation to help you reconnect with the natural world and give you a deeper insight into this extraordinary way of life.