Geumsunsa Templestay

I had read about templestays in Korea and signed up for a 2-day, 1-night program. I wanted to learn more about the Buddhist life. It's easy to sign up online at http://eng.templestay.com/.

I chose Geumsunsa. It's just outside Seoul, easy to get to by public transportation, yet it felt remote in the mountains.

1. Take the orange line subway and get off at Gyeongbokgung(경복궁).

2. Use exit No. 3 and walk straight forward about 70 m to the bus stop.
3. Take the green bus No. 7212 at the bus stop.
4. Get off at the bus stop, Yibukodochung(이북오도청) after a 20-minute ride. It's the stop right after the bus makes a U-turn.
5. Walk along the main road to the north for about 20 minutes. The first 10 minutes is a walk on the road; the last 10 minutes in up a hill. If you have heavy suitcases, write the temple ahead of time and they will send a cable cart down to the parking lot.

Sign pointing the way.

Entrance to the temple.

View of Seoul from the temple.

Bell tower.

On the grounds of the temple.

Temple building.

The program begins at 3 pm with an orientation. We arrived around 2 pm and were issued our purple temple uniform. There were about 25 of us from all corners of the world.

Bowing to the buddha.

Our group.

General Schedule

First Day
15:00~16:30 : Registration & free time
16:30~17:30 : Orientation (learn about etiquettes in temple)
17:30~18:30 : Temple Dinner
18:30~19:00 : Tolling a bell & Evening Service
19:00~20:00 : Walking in peace(or Conversation with a monk)
20:00~21:00 : Let it be
21:00~ : Sleeping

Second Day
04:30~05:00 : Early morning Service (Optional)
05:00~06:00 : Seon Meditation
06:00~07:00 : Temple breakfast
07:00~08:00 : Communal work (optional)--I weeded while my husband swept the grounds
08:00~09:30 : Walking Meditation along the tranquil forest path
09:30~10:30 : 108 prayer bows
10:30~11:30 : Temple tour
11:30~12:00 : Comments and photo
12:10~13:00 : Temple lunch
After lunch : Departure

We slept on mats in the communal room--separated by sex. There is a locker to place your belongings but there is no lock. There was a washroom and shower--soaps and small towel were provided.

It certainly was a very peaceful experience and I'm glad I did it. I learned how to meditate and to appreciate what I have. The vegetarian meals were quite good, the walks in the woods beautiful but the 108 prayer bows made me sore for days afterwards.



2013 09 21