Participants in a templestay program (Credit: Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism) ()
Templestay is a wonderful way to recharge oneself. The sound of wind chimes resonates within the tranquil temple grounds, rendering peace in the hearts of temple visitors. A templestay program provides sanctuary from city life, as well as time and space for meditation and relaxation.
Templestay introduction Templestay is a unique opportunity to experience Korean Buddhism, its daily lifestyle, rituals and spirituality. It generally entails staying at a Buddhist temple and engaging in daily monastic activities. Today, templestay is considered one of the most popular programs among locals and foreigners for experiencing Korean Buddhism.
Templestay programs
Photo: Templestay programs
Generally, a templestay program includes a Buddhist service, seon meditation, the 108 prostrations, and communal work. Some programs also educate participants on monastic meal offerings and tea ceremony rituals.
Photos: Lanterns hung around temples
Another common program is making a lotus lantern, a form of Buddhist art; the lotus-shaped lantern symbolizes a light that brightens the dark world. Lanterns are hung before Buddha's Birthday, the eighth day of the fourth month on the lunar calendar, at all the temples and nearby areas throughout Korea. During the month of Buddha's birthday, a variety of events are held across the nation, attracting many tourists from near and far.
Temples offering regular templestay programs for international visitors Please visit the Templestay website for information and reservations.
Seoul
International Seon Center Address: 167, Mokdongdong-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 양천구 목동동로 167) Website (Korean, English)
Geumseonsa Temple Address: 137, Bibong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 비봉길 137) Website (Korean only)
Myogaksa Temple Address: 31, Jong-ro 63ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 종로63가길 31) Website (Korean only)
Bongeunsa Temple Address: 531, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로 531) Website (Korean only)
Jogyesa Temple Address: 55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 55) Website (Korean, English)
Jingwansa Temple Address: 73, Jingwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 은평구 진관길 73) Website (Korean only)
Hwagyesa Temple Address: 117, Hwagyesa-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강북구 화계사길 117) Website (Korean only)
Incheon
Jeondeungsa Temple Address: 37-41, Jeondeungsa-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon (인천광역시 강화군 길상면 전등사로 37-41) Website (Korean only)
Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center Address: 349-60, Ganghwadong-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon (인천광역시 강화군 길상면 강화동로 349-60) Website (Korean, English)
Gyeonggi-do
Yongjusa Temple Address: 136, Yongju-ro, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 화성시 용주로 136) Website (Korean only)
Gangwon-do
Naksansa Temple Address: 100, Naksansa-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 양양군 강현면 낙산사로 100) Website (Korean, English)
Woljeongsa Temple Address: 374-8, Odaesan-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 평창군 진부면 오대산로 374-8) Website (Korean, English)
Chungcheongnam-do
Magoksa Temple Address: 966, Magoksa-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 공주시 사곡면 마곡사로 966) Website (Korean, English)
Chungcheongbuk-do
Guinsa Temple Address: 73, Guinsa-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 단양군 영춘면 구인사길 73)
Beopjusa Temple Address: 405, Beopjusa-ro, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 보은군 속리산면 법주사로 405) Website (Korean, English)
Jeollanam-do
Mihwangsa Temple Address: 164, Mihwangsa-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 해남군 송지면 미황사길 164) Website (Korean, English)
Hwaeomsa Temple Address: 539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 구례군 마산면 화엄사로 539) Website (Korean only)
Jeollabuk-do
Geumsansa Temple Address: 1, Moak 15-gil, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 김제시 금산면 모악15길 1) Website (Korean only)
Seonunsa Temple Address: 250, Seonunsa-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 고창군 아산면 선운사로 250) Website (Korean, English)
Naesosa Temple Address: 243, Naesosa-ro, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 부안군 진서면 내소사로 243) Website (Korean only)
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Golgulsa Temple Address: 101-5, Gireum-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 양북면 기림로 101-5) Website (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Bulguksa Temple Address: 385, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 불국로 385) Website (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Jikjisa Temple Address: 95, Jikjisa-gil, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 김천시 대항면 직지사길 95) Website (Korean only)
Gyeongsangnam-do
Haeinsa Temple Address: 122, Haeinsa-gil, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 합천군 가야면 해인사길 122) Website (Korean only)
Daegu Donghwasa Temple Address: 1, Donghwasa 1-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 동구 동화사1길 1) Website (Korean only)
Busan Beomeosa Temple Address: 250, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 금정구 범어사로 250) Website (Korean, English)
Jeju Yakchunsa Temple Address: 293-28, Eeodo-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 이어도로 293-28) Website (Korean only)
How to participate
The Templestay Information Center is located across from Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. The center provides comprehensive information on templestay programs and the temples that offer templestay programs. For those who cannot visit the center in person, reservations can be made through the website.
Address:56, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 56)
DirectionsWalk for approx. 5 min from Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 3-1 Walk for approx. 5 min from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6
Operating hours:09:00-19:00 (Closed on public holidays)
Inquiries:+82-2-2031-2000 (Korean, English)
Website (Korean, English)
1330 Korea Travel Hotline:+82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)
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