Templestay – Beomeosa Temple (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Introduction to Temple
Beomeosa Temple is located on the northeastern foothills of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumgjong-gu, Busan. Beomeosa Temple was first founded in 678 A.D by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). In English, Beomeosa Temple means “Nirvana Fish Temple.” The name of the temple relates to the name of the mountain for which Beomeosa Temple is situated. Mt. Geumjeongsan means “Golden Well Mountain” in English. This comes from a myth that finds a golden fish descending down from the heavens on a five-coloured cloud. This golden fish played in a well on top of Mt. Geumjeongsan. It’s believed that this golden well never runs dry.
Tragically, Beomeosa Temple was destroyed by fire by the invading Japanese during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple wasn’t rebuilt until 1613. It’s from this time period that the oldest structures at Beomeosa Temple date back to. This includes such structures as the Daeung-jeon Hall and the Iljumun Gate.
Currently, Beomeosa Temple is one of the sixth largest temples in Korea. Also, the temple grounds are home to some ten hermitages that are directly associated with Beomeosa Temple. Beomeosa Temple is also home to four Korean Treasures and one Natural Monument.
As for the Templestay program at Beomeosa Temple, they conduct two different programs. The first is the Experiential Templestay (Weekends) Program, which is a one night, two day program that focuses on a temple tour, folk art painting, bead making, and meditation. This program follows a well-organized schedule; while the second Templestay program, the Relaxation Templestay (Weekdays) Program, is less structured. This one night, two day program allows participants to enjoy the temple, relax, and reflect more on their own.
For more on Beomeosa Temple.
Directions
From the Beomeosa Station subway stop, stop #133 on line #1, leave this station through exits #5 or #7. From there, walk five minutes to the bus stop and take Bus #90 to get to the entrance of Beomeosa Temple.
Templestay Programs
Beomeosa Temple conducts two distinct Templestay programs at their temple. The first is the Experiential Templestay (Weekends) Program, which is conducted on the weekend and follows a schedule over a one night, two day program. The second is the Relaxation Templestay (Weekdays) Program, which is also a one night, two day program; but this program is conducted during the weekday, and it follows a looser schedule. Here are each of these programs schedules:
A: Experiential Templestay (Weekends) Program
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 14:00-14:30 | Check-In |
| 14:30-15:20 | Orientation |
| 15:30-16:50 | Walk in the Forest & Temple Tour |
| 16:50-17:20 | Dinner |
| 17:30-18:30 | Folk Art Painting |
| 18:30-21:00 | Free Time |
| 21:00-00:00 | Bedtime |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 03:40-04:00 | Get-Up |
| 04:30-05:00 | Watching a Ceremony for the Four Dharma Instruments & Joining a Buddhist Ceremony |
| 05:00-06:30 | Making Prayer Beads |
| 06:30-07:00 | Breakfast |
| 07:00-09:00 | Free Time |
| 09:00-09:40 | Meditation & Tea Time with Buddhist Monk |
| 09:40-10:00 | Check-Out |
(This schedule is subject to change)
B: Relaxation Templestay (Weekdays) Program
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 14:00-14:30 | Check-In |
| 14:30-15:20 | Orientation (mandatory) |
| 15:30-16:50 | Walk in a Forest & Temple Tour (mandatory) |
| 16:50-17:20 | Dinner |
| 18:00-18:30 | Watching a Ceremony for the Four Dharma Instruments & Joining a Buddhist Ceremony (optional) |
| 18:30-21:00 | Free Time |
| 21:00-00:00 | Bedtime |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 04:00-04:30 | Get-Up |
| 04:30-05:00 | Watching a Ceremony for the Four Dharma Instruments & Joining a Buddhist Ceremony (optional) |
| 07:00-07:30 | Breakfast |
| 07:30-09:00 | Free Time |
| 09:00-09:40 | Meditation (mandatory) |
| 09:40-10:00 | Check-Out |
(This schedule is subject to change)
Temple Information
Address: 20 Sangma 1-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Tel: 82-070-7728-8861
E-mail: tsbeomeosa@templestay.com
Fees
Experiential Templestay (Weekends) Program – adults – 100,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 100,000 won
Relaxation Templestay (Weekdays) Program – adults – 60,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 60,000 won
*The cancellation policy is as follows: 3 days before: 100% refund; 2 days before: 70% refund; 1 day before: 50% refund; the day of the reservation there is no refund.
Links
Reservations for the Experiential Templestay (Weekends) Program
Reservations for the Relaxation Templestay (Weekdays) Program
