Templestay - Golgulsa Temple (Gyeongju) - Dale's Korean Temple Adventures

Introduction to Temple

Golgulsa Temple, which means “Bone Cave Temple” in English, is located in eastern Gyeongju just down the road from Girimsa Temple. Golgulsa Temple was first built during the 6th century by the monk Gwangyu. Purportedly, the monk Gwangyu arrived back in Korea from India with some of his followers. After arriving, he decided to build Golgulsa Temple to emulate the cave temples in India.

Golgulsa Temple would continue to exist until the mid to late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when it was left in ruins after being destroyed by fire. Through a few twists and turns, the Golgulsa Temple that we know of today was rebuilt starting in 1989. Originally, the temple was Golgulam Hermitage, but it became a temple in its own right at this time. Now, Golgulsa Temple is best known for continuing the practice of Seonmudo, or “The Way of War for Seon” in English. The name Seonmudo was given in 1984 by the monk Jeogun. The full name for Seonmudo is “Bulgyo Geumgang Yeong Gwan – 불교금강영관” in Korean, and it plays an integral part of the Templestay program at Golgulsa Temple.

In total, Golgulsa Temple has one of the most active Templestay programs in Korea. In total, Golgulsa Temple conducts six different programs at their temple. These programs range in length and vary in activities. Some of the Templestay activities at Golgulsa Temple include Seonmudo training, meditation, a temple tour, and even archery and horseback riding. There seems to be a little bit of something for everyone.

For more on Golgulsa Temple.

Directions

From Gyeongju, you can board either Bus #100 or Bus #150 that heads towards Gampo. You can catch this bus across from the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal. You’ll need to get off at the Andong-ri intersection and walk twenty minutes to get to the temple entrance. Just follow the signs along the way.

Templestay Programs

In total, Golgulsa Temple conducts an impressive six Templestay programs at their temple. These programs are the Special Weekend Templestay Program (2 Day, 1 Night), the Special Weekend Templestay Program (3 Day, 2 Night), the Moving Seon – Sunmudo! Program (2 Days, 1 Night), the Moving Seon – Sunmudo! Program (3 Days, 2 Nights), the Relaxation Templestay Program, and the Daytime Visit Templestay Program. Here are each of these programs’ schedules:

A: Special Weekend Templestay Program (2 Day, 1 Night)

Time	Title
14:30-15:00	Check-In
15:00-16:00	Watching Seonmudo Demonstration
16:10-16:30	Orientation
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations
18:00-19:00	Dinner
21:00-00:00	Bedtime

Time	Title
05:00-05:30	Get Up
05:30-06:10	Morning Chanting Service & Meditation
06:10-06:30	Walking Meditation
06:30-7:30	Breakfast
09:00-11:30	Hiking & Meditation Near a Mountain or a Beach
11:30-12:00	Lunch
12:00-13:00	Check-Out

(This schedule is subject to change)

B: Special Weekend Templestay Program (3 Day, 2 Night)

Time	Title
14:30-15:00	Check-In
15:00-16:00	Watching Seonmudo Demonstration
16:10-16:30	Orientation
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations
18:00-19:00	Dinner
21:00-00:00	Bedtime

Time	Title
05:00-05:30	Get Up
05:30-06:00	Morning Chanting Service & Meditation
06:10-06:30	Walking Meditation
06:30-07:30	Breakfast
09:00-11:30	Hiking & Meditation
11:30-12:30	Lunch
13:10-14:00	Optional Activities – Archery (extra fee – 10,000 won), Horseback Riding (extra fee – 20,000 won)
14:00-15:00	Sitting Meditation
15:00-16:30	Watching Seonmudo Demonstration
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations
18:00-19:00	Dinner
21:00-00:00	Bedtime

Time	Title
05:00-05:30	Get Up
05:30-06:10	Morning Chanting Service & Sitting Meditation
06:10-06:30	Walking Meditation
06:30-09:00	Breakfast
09:00-11:30	Hiking & Meditation
11:30-12:00	Lunch
12:00	Check-Out

(This schedule is subject to change)

The temple facilities at Golgulsa Temple. (Picture courtesy of the Templestay website).

More of the temple facilities at Golgulsa Temple. (Picture courtesy of the Templestay website).

C: Moving Seon – Sunmudo! Program (2 Days, 1 Night)

It’s unclear as to what this program includes, as the Golgulsa Temple entry on the website for the Templestay Program doesn’t specify. Perhaps it’s similar to the 2 night, 3 days program of the same name.

D: Moving Seon – Sunmudo! Program (3 Days, 2 Nights)

Time	Title
14:30-15:00	Check-In
15:00-16:10	Seonmudo Demonstration & Korean Traditional Arts Performance
16:10-16:30	Orientation
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations
18:00-19:00	Dinner
21:00-00:00	Bedtime

Time	Title
05:00-05:30	Get Up
05:30-06:10	Early Morning Buddhist Service & Sitting Meditation
06:10-06:30	Walking Meditation
06:30-07:30	Breakfast
09:00-10:30	Seonmudo Training
10:30-11:00	Morning Buddhist Service (Optional)
11:00-12:00	Tea Time with a Buddhist Monk
12:00-12:00	Lunch
13:10-14:00	Optional Activities – Archery (extra fee – 10,000 won), Horseback Riding (extra fee – 20,000 won)
14:00-15:00	Sitting Meditation
15:00-16:30	Watching Seonmudo Demonstration
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations
18:00-19:00	Dinner
21:00-00:00	Bedtime

Time	Title
05:00-05:30	Get Up
05:30-06:10	Early Morning Buddhist Service & Sitting Meditation
06:10-06:30	Walking Meditation
06:30-07:30	Breakfast
09:00-10:30	Seonmudo Training
10:30-11:00	Morning Buddhist Service (Optional)
11:00-12:00	Tea Time with a Buddhist Monk
12:00-12:30	Lunch
12:30	Check-Out

(This schedule is subject to change)

Seonmudo artwork that adorns the Daejeokgwang-jeon Hall at Golgulsa Temple

E: Relaxation Templestay Program

Time	Title
14:30-15:00	Check-In
15:00-16:10	Seonmudo Demonstration
16:10-16:30	Orientation
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations
18:00-19:00	Dinner
19:00-21:00	Take a Rest
21:00-00:00	Bedtime

Time	Title
05:00-05:30	Get Up
05:30-60:00	Early Morning Buddhist Service & Sitting Meditation
06:10-06:30	Walking Meditation
06:30-07:30	Breakfast
09:00-11:00	Seonmudo Training
11:00-12:00	Tea Time with a Buddhist Monk
12:00-12:30	Lunch
12:30	Check-Out

(This schedule is subject to change)

F: Daytime Visit Templestay Program

Time	Title
12:50-13:10	Check-In
13:10-14:00	Archery
14:00-15:00	Meditation
15:00-16:30	Watching Seonmudo Demonstration
16:30-17:40	Seonmudo Training
17:40-18:00	108 Prostrations (Optional)
18:00-18:30	Dinner & Check-Out

(This schedule is subject to change)

Temple Information

Address: 101-5 Girim-ro, Munmudaewang-myeon, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Tel: 054-775-1689

E-mail: golgulsatemplestay@gmail.com

Fees

Special Weekend Templestay Program (2 Day, 1 Night) – adults – 80,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 80,000 won; pre-schoolers – 80,000 won

Special Weekend Templestay Program (3 Day, 2 Night) – adults – 160,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 160,000 won; pre-schoolers – 160,000 won

Moving Seon – Sunmudo! Program (2 Days, 1 Night) – adults – 80,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 80,000 won; pre-schoolers – 80,000 won

Moving Seon – Sunmudo! Program (3 Days, 2 Nights) – adults – 160,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 160,000 won; pre-schoolers – 160,000 won

Relaxation Templestay Program – adults – 80,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 80,000 won; pre-schoolers – 80,000 won

Daytime Visit Templestay Program – adults – 50,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 50,000 won; pre-schoolers – 50,000 won

*The cancellation policy is as follows: 3 days before: 100% refund; 2 days before: 50% refund; 1 day before: 10% refund; the day of the reservation there is no refund.