Seoul,  Templestay

Templestay – Bongeunsa Temple (Seoul)

The Twenty-Three Metre Tall Statue of Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha) at Bongeunsa Temple.

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:

TimeTitle
14:00-14:20Opening/Learning for temple etiquette
14:20-14:30Assigning rooms/Wearing a uniform
14:30-15:20Temple tour
15:30-16:00Da-Seon (Tea Ceremony)
16:00-16:30Sagyeong (Copying Sutras in Golden ink)
16:50-17:30Monastic Meal
17:40-18:20Watching Sunim’s playing Dharma instrument/Evening yebul service
18:30-19:00Break
19:00-20:00Cham-Seon (Seon meditation )
20:00-21:30Break out
21:30-04:00Lights Out
TimeTitle
03:50-04:20Waking up/Make a bed whenever you’re up
04:30-05:00Morning yebul service
05:00-06:00108 Prostrations
06:00-08:30Monastic meal and Break time
08:30-09:30Survey & group photo & Clean up a Meditation room together

(This schedule is subject to change)

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

B: Thursday Templelife Program:

TimeTitle
14:00-15:00Temple tour
15:00-15:30Da-Seon (Tea Ceremony)
15:30-16:00Sagyeong (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

Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, Seoul.

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