Templestay – Bongeunsa Temple (Seoul)
Introduction to Temple
Bongeunsa Temple is conveniently located in the posh neighbourhood of Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The temple was first established in 794 A.D. by Yeonhoe. There are quite a few unique features to this large sized temple including the large stone statue of Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha) to the rear of the temple grounds, as well as the beautifully situated and adorned Daeung-jeon Hall.
Bongeunsa Temple does two types of Templestay programs. The first is the more traditional one night and two days program that focuses on a temple tour, sutra writing, meditation, and morning prayers. On the other hand, the other program that Bongeunsa Temple conducts is a two hour program that focuses on a tea ceremony and sutra writing. It’s conducted on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more on Bongeunsa Temple.
Directions
On the Seoul subway system, you’ll need to get off at Samseong Station, which is on Line #2. From this station, go out exit #6 to get to the temple. From this exit, walk straight for 600 metres and turn left. From this turn, you’ll need to cross the street and walk an additional 150 metres to get to Bongeunsa Temple.
Templestay Programs
Bongeunsa Temple runs two different programs at the temple. The first is the Regular Templestay program, which lasts one night and two days. The other program is the Thursday Templelife program.
A: Regular Templestay Program:
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 14:00-14:20 | Opening/Learning for temple etiquette |
| 14:20-14:30 | Assigning rooms/Wearing a uniform |
| 14:30-15:20 | Temple tour |
| 15:30-16:00 | Da-Seon (Tea Ceremony) |
| 16:00-16:30 | Sagyeong (Copying Sutras in Golden ink) |
| 16:50-17:30 | Monastic Meal |
| 17:40-18:20 | Watching Sunim’s playing Dharma instrument/Evening yebul service |
| 18:30-19:00 | Break |
| 19:00-20:00 | Cham-Seon (Seon meditation ) |
| 20:00-21:30 | Break out |
| 21:30-04:00 | Lights Out |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 03:50-04:20 | Waking up/Make a bed whenever you’re up |
| 04:30-05:00 | Morning yebul service |
| 05:00-06:00 | 108 Prostrations |
| 06:00-08:30 | Monastic meal and Break time |
| 08:30-09:30 | Survey & group photo & Clean up a Meditation room together |
(This schedule is subject to change)
B: Thursday Templelife Program:
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 14:00-15:00 | Temple tour |
| 15:00-15:30 | Da-Seon (Tea Ceremony) |
| 15:30-16:00 | Sagyeong (Copying Sutras) |
(This schedule is subject to change)
Temple Information
Temple Address: 73 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-090, South Korea
Tel: +82-2-3218-4826
Homepage: http://kb1.templestay.com/index.asp?t_id=bongeunsa
Email: bongeunsa@templestay.com
Fees
Regular Templestay Program – adults – 70,000 won (It’s run on the first Saturday of each month. And it’s only run once a month).
Thursday Templelife Program – adults – 20,000 won (The program only runs if 3 people have signed-up).
*There is a 100% refund four days before the scheduled date of the program.
Links
Reservations for the Regular Templestay Program
Reservations for the Thursday Templelife Program
