Templestay – Donghwasa Temple (Dong-gu, Daegu)
Introduction to Temple
Donghwasa Temple is located on the southern slopes of Mt. Palgongsan (1193 m) in Dong-gu, Daegu. The name of the temple means “Paulownia Blossom Temple” in English. The temple was first built in 493 A.D. by the monk Geukdal, and it was originally named Yugasa Temple. However, when the temple was rebuilt in 832 A.D., the name of the temple changed to Donghwasa Temple. The re-naming of the temple pertains to a legend, when during the dead of winter, wild paulownia trees were in full bloom all around the temple grounds. This was thought of as an auspicious sign, so the temple was re-named Donghwasa Temple.
During Later Baekje (892-936 A.D.), the kingdom would attack the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). Responding to Silla Kingdom’s pleads for assistance, Wang Geon (877-943 A.D.), who would become King Taejo of Goryeo (r. 918-943 A.D.), the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), stayed at Donghwasa Temple to help fight the Later Baekje troops. However, Wang Geon suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Later Baekje army.
Later, and in 1190, the famed monk Bojo (1158-1210) stayed at Donghwasa Temple to oversee a large reconstruction and renovation of the temple. Throughout the years, Donghwasa Temple has undergone several rebuilds including in 1606 when Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610) helped repair the damage inflicted on it during the Imjin War (1592-98). It’s from this date that many of the shrine halls at Donghwasa Temple date back to. In total, Donghwasa Temple is home to some eight Korean Treasures, which uniquely, are mainly murals.
Donghwasa Temple is home to two Templestay programs. The first, which is only conducted on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, is the [Experiential Templestay] Taste Korean Buddhism Program. This is a one night and two day program that focuses on a temple tour, tea time with a monk, and ceremonies. The second Templestay program at Donghwasa Temple is the Recuperation [Rest Style] Templestay Program. This is another one night, two day program. This program focuses on rest, walking around the temple grounds, and various other ceremonies at Donghwasa Temple.
For more on Donghwasa Temple.
Directions
From the Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal, which is on the west side of Daegu, you’ll need to take the Daegu subway system, Line #1, heading towards Anshim, and get off at Ahywanggyo Station. From here, take Express Bus #1 to get to Donghwasa Temple. The ride should take about 35 minutes, and it brings you right up to the temple.
Templestay Program
Donghwasa Temple conducts two Templestay programs at their temple. The first of the two is the [Experiential Templestay] Taste Korean Buddhism Program, which is a one night, two day program. And the second is the Recuperation [Rest Style] Templestay Program. Here are each of those programs:
A: [Experiential Templestay] Taste Korean Buddhism Program
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 14:30-14:55 | Arrival |
| 15:00-15:30 | Orientation at Chamseon-dang |
| 16:00-17:10 | Temple Tour |
| 17:10-18:00 | Dinner Offering at Huwon |
| 18:30-18:45 | Watching the Sound of a Dharma Bell |
| 19:10-19:20 | Evening Ceremony |
| 19:20-20:00 | Tea Time with a Monk |
| 21:00-00:00 | Bedtime |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 04:40-05:30 | Early Morning Ceremony & Sitting Meditation |
| 05:45-06:30 | Breakfast Offering at Huwon |
| 06:40-08:50 | Free Time |
| 09:00-09:30 | Closing Ceremony at the Chamseon-dang |
| 09:30-11:30 | Cooking Temple Food |
| 11:40-12:00 | Check-Out |
(This schedule is subject to change)
B: Recuperation [Rest Style] Templestay Program
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 14:30-15:00 | Arrival |
| 15:00-15:40 | Orientation at Training Hall |
| 15:40-16:20 | Rest |
| 16:30-17:20 | Dinner Offering |
| 17:20-18:00 | Rest & Tour the Temple |
| 18:00-18:18 | Watching the Sound of the Dharmma Bell (optional) |
| 18:20-21:00 | Rest |
| 21:00-00:00 | Bedtime |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 05:50-06:30 | Breakfast |
| 06:30-08:50 | Rest |
| 09:00-09:20 | Closing Ceremony at Training Hall |
| 09:20-11:00 | Rest & Tour the Temple |
| 11:05-12:00 | Lunch Offering |
| 12:00-00:00 | Check-Out |
(This schedule is subject to change)
Temple Information
Address: Dong-gu, Daegu, Donghwasa-1-gil 1
Tel: 010-3534-8079
E-mail: donghwasa8079@daum.net
Fees
[Experiential Templestay] Taste Korean Buddhism Program – adults – 80,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 50,000 won; pre-schoolers – 20,000 won
Recuperation [Rest Style] Templestay Program – adults – 60,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 40,000 won; pre-schoolers – 30,000 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.
Links
Reservations for the [Experiential Templestay] Taste Korean Buddhism Program
Reservations for the Recuperation [Rest Style] Templestay Program
