[Experiences |]All about Templestay in Korea


Photo : Participants in a templestay program (Credit : Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism)

【 Photo: 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.

  • Photo : Mihwangsa Temple lit with lanterns (Credit : Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism)
  • Photo : Lotus Lantern Festival at Tongdosa Temple
【 Photo: 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.

* Related column
Lotus Lantern Festival, Celebrating Traditional Buddhist Culture

Temples offering regular templestay programs for international visitors

Please visit the Templestay website for information and reservations.

Major temples offering a Templestay program
International Seon Center
Address: 167, Mokdongdong-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 양천구 목동동로 167)
Website: seoncenter.com (Korean, English)
Geumseonsa Temple
Address: 137, Bibong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 종로구 비봉길 137)
Website: www.geumsunsa.org (Korean only)
Myogaksa Temple
Address: 31, Jong-ro 63ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 종로구 종로63가길 31)
Website: www.myogaksa.net (Korean only)
Bongeunsa Temple
Address: 531, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로 531)
Website: www.bongeunsa.org (Korean only)
Jogyesa Temple
Address: 55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 55)
Website: www.jogyesa.kr (Korean, English)
Jingwansa Temple
Address: 73, Jingwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 은평구 진관길 73)
Website: www.jinkwansa.org (Korean only)
Hwagyesa Temple
Address: 117, Hwagyesa-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 강북구 화계사길 117)
Website: www.hwagyesa.org (Korean only)
Jeondeungsa Temple
Address: 37-41, Jeondeungsa-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
(인천광역시 강화군 길상면 전등사로 37-41)
Website: www.jeondeungsa.org (Korean only)
Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center
Address: 349-60, Ganghwadong-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
(인천광역시 강화군 길상면 강화동로 349-60)
Website: www.lotuslantern.net/eng (Korean, English)
Yongjusa Temple
Address: 136, Yongju-ro, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
(경기도 화성시 용주로 136)
Website: www.yongjoosa.or.kr (Korean only)
Naksansa Temple
Address: 100, Naksansa-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
(강원도 양양군 강현면 낙산사로 100)
Website: www.naksansa.or.kr (Korean, English)
Woljeongsa Temple
Address: 374-8, Odaesan-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
(강원도 평창군 진부면 오대산로 374-8)
Website: www.woljeongsa.org (Korean, English)
Magoksa Temple
Address: 966, Magoksa-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
(충청남도 공주시 사곡면 마곡사로 966)
Website: www.magoksa.or.kr (Korean, English)
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: www.beopjusa.org (Korean, English)
Mihwangsa Temple
Address: 164, Mihwangsa-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
(전라남도 해남군 송지면 미황사길 164)
Website: www.mihwangsa.org (Korean)
Hwaeomsa Temple
Address: 539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
(전라남도 구례군 마산면 화엄사로 539)
Website: www.hwaeomsa.com (Korean only)
Geumsansa Temple
Address: 1, Moak 15-gil, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
(전라북도 김제시 금산면 모악15길 1)
Website: www.geumsansa.org (Korean only)
Seonunsa Temple
Address: 250, Seonunsa-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do
(전라북도 고창군 아산면 선운사로 250)
Website: www.seonunsa.org (Korean, English)
Naesosa Temple
Address: 243, Naesosa-ro, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
(전라북도 부안군 진서면 내소사로 243)
Website: www.naesosa.kr (Korean only)
Golgulsa Temple
Address: 101-5, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
(경상북도 경주시 양북면 기림로 101-5)
Website: www.golgulsa.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Bulguksa Temple
Address: 385, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
(경상북도 경주시 불국로 385)
Website: www.bulguksa.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Jikjisa Temple
Address: 95, Jikjisa-gil, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
(경상북도 김천시 대항면 직지사길 95)
Website: www.jikjisa.or.kr (Korean only)
Haeinsa Temple
Address: 122, Haeinsa-gil, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
(경상남도 합천군 가야면 해인사길 122)
Website: www.haeinsa.or.kr (Korean only)
Donghwasa Temple
Address: 1, Donghwasa 1-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu
(대구광역시 동구 동화사1길 1)
Website: www.donghwasa.net (Korean only)
Beomeosa Temple
Address: 250, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
(부산광역시 금정구 범어사로 250)
Website: www.beomeo.kr (Korean, English)
Yakchunsa Temple
Address: 293-28, Eeodo-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
(제주특별자치도 서귀포시 이어도로 293-28)
Website: www.yakchunsa.org (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.

Templestay Information Center
  • 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:www.templestay.com (Korean, English)
  • 1330 Korea Travel Hotline:+82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)

* This page was last updated on September 20, 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.

* Photo & Contents credit : https://www.visitkorea.or.kr/


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