Templestay – Jeondeungsa Temple (Incheon)
Introduction to Temple
Jeondeungsa Temple is situated on Ganghwa-do Island. Jeondeungsa Temple was first established in the 4th century by the monk Ado, and it was formally called Jinjongsa Temple. It received its current name in 1282. It’s believed by some that Jeondeungsa Temple is the oldest temple on the Korean peninsula. The temple helped defend against the invading Mongols during the 13th century. In fact, the Goryeo royal family temporarily took up residence at the temple after the capital of Gaeseong had been overrun. From 1719 until 1910, Jeondeungsa Temple was in charge of protecting the ancestral records of the Joseon Dynasty royal family. As a result, senior monks from Jeondeungsa Temple were highly regarded during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
As for the temple itself, Jeondeungsa Temple is situated inside the walls of Samnang Fortress, which was originally built to protect Korea from foreign invaders. You’ll have to pass through the fortress gate, which is now the gate to the temple, to enter the temple grounds. Jeondeungsa Temple is one of the smaller Templestay temples that you can stay at; but with that being said, it still has a fair bit to see and enjoy.
Jeondeungsa Temple conducts three different Templestay programs. The first is the One Step Pause Program – Wolsongyo (private restroom and shower room), which can be as free or as regimented as you’d like. If you’d like to follow a schedule, Jeondeungsa Temple provides a simple ceremony structure to this program. The second program at Jeondeungsa Temple is much like the first; in fact, I don’t see a difference besides the price. Perhaps if you contact the temple directly they can explain the difference. The name of this program is One Step Pause – Private Program (toilet and shower room). And the third program is a more basic form of the previously mentioned Templestay programs at Jeondeungsa Temple. The third program is entitled One Step Pause – Basic Program (public rest room and shower room).
Directions
First, you’ll need to get to Incheon. Once there, and from the Shinchon Subway Station, line #2, use exit #4 and walk 100 metres. From there, take Bus #3100 to the Onsu-ri Terminal, which can be found in front of Artreon Cinema. Get off at Onsu-ri. Walk to the temple from there. It should take about 20 minutes.
Or, and again from Incheon, you can take the Incheon Express City Bus #700. From there, get off at the Onsu-ri Station. Signs should lead you the rest of the way to the temple
Templestay Programs
All three programs at Jeondeungsa Temple follow the same schedule. The only difference between the three are the accommodations. It should also be noted that the temple allows visitors to stay up to 4 nights at Jeondeungsa Temple for the One Step Pause Program – Wolsongyo (private restroom and shower room) and the One Step Pause – Basic Program (public rest room and shower room) programs. While you can stay up to 14 nights for the One Step Pause – Private Program (toilet and shower room).
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 00:00-15:00 | Arrival & Registration |
| 16:30-17:00 | Orientation |
| 17:00-17:30 | Temple Dinner |
| 17:50-18:00 | Striking a Bell |
| 18:00-18:30 | Yebool |
| 19:00-04:00 | Rest |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 04:30-05:00 | Yebool |
| 06:00-06:30 | Temple Breakfast |
| 07:30-08:00 | Ulyeok (communal work) |
| 10:30-11:00 | Cleaning Up & Check-out |
| 11:30-12:00 | Temple Lunch |
Temple Information
Address: Ganghwa-gun Incheon, 635, Onsu-ri, Gilsang-myeon
Tel: 82-10-3789-0152
E-mail: jeondeungtemple@gmail.com
Fees
One Step Pause Program – Wolsongyo (private restroom and shower room) – adults – 120,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 90,000 won; pre-schoolers – 20,000 won
One Step Pause – Private Program (toilet and shower room) – adults – 90,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 70,000 won; pre-schoolers – 10,000 won.
One Step Pause – Basic Program (public rest room and shower room) – adults – 70,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 50,000 won; pre-schoolers – 10,000 won.
*The cancellation policy is as follows: 3 days before: 100% refund; 2 days before: 70% refund; 1 day before: 50% refund; day of templestay: 30% refund.
Links
Reservations for the One Step Pause Program – Wolsongyo (private restroom and shower room)
Reservations for the One Step Pause – Private Program (toilet and shower room)
Reservations for the One Step Pause – Basic Program (public rest room and shower room)
