Templestay – Mihwangsa Temple (Haenam, Jeollanam-do)
Introduction to Temple
Mihwangsa Temple, which means “Beautiful Yellow Temple” in English, is located in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. According to a temple myth from the Samguk Yusa, Mihwangsa Temple was first founded in 749 A.D. The temple is located to the west of Mt. Dalmasan (489 m), and it’s the southernmost temple on the Korean Peninsula. As a result, Mihwangsa Temple enjoys beautiful views of the South Sea off in the distance.
During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), officials and scholars from China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279) visited the temple between 1264 to 1294. Also at this time, there were twelve hermitages that were directly associated with Mihwangsa Temple on Mt. Dalmasan. During the Imjin War (1592-1598), Mihwangsa Temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese. The temple would quickly be rebuilt in 1598, starting with the Daeungbo-jeon Hall. The main hall was later repaired in 1754. In total, Mihwangsa Temple is home to some four Korean Treasures that include the Daeungbo-jeon Hall.
As for the Templestay program at Mihwangsa Temple, which is known as the Mihwangsa Healing Templestay Program, it focuses on fully immersing yourself in Korean Buddhism that includes multiple Yebul ceremonies, a tea ceremony, meditation, and the environ that surrounds Mihwangsa Temple over a two day experience.
For more on Mihwangsa Temple.
Directions
You can get to Mihwangsa Temple from the Haenam Intercity Bus Terminal. From here, you’ll need to catch a bus that heads to Wando. This bus leaves every ten to sixty minutes, depending on the time of the day. The first bus leaves at 5:50 a.m., and these buses run throughout the day until 9:10 p.m. You’ll need to get off at the Weolsong-ri stop. The bus ride should last about sixty minutes. From here, you’ll need to either grab a taxi for the remaining ten minute drive to get to the temple.
Templestay Program
Mihwangsa Temple offers one Templestay program at their temple. It’s entitled the Mihwangsa Healing Templestay Program, which is a one night two day program. Here is their program:
A: Mihwangsa Healing Templestay
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 15:00-16:00 | Registration and Room Assignment |
| 17:00-17:30 | Dinner |
| 18:00-18:30 | Yebul |
| 18:30-19:30 | Temple Tour & Sunset View |
| 19:30-20:00 | Cham-Seon (Seon Meditation) |
| 20:00-21:00 | Da-Seon (Tea Ceremony) |
| 22:00-05:00 | Good Night! |
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 05:00-05:20 | Good Morning! |
| 05:20-05:30 | Cham-Seon (Seon Meditation) |
| 05:30-06:00 | Yebul (Ceremony) |
| 06:30-07:00 | Breakfast |
| 07:30-08:00 | Walking in the Forest |
| 08:00-08:30 | Ullyeok (Communal Work) |
| 10:00-11:00 | Yebul (Ceremony) |
| 11:30-12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:00 | Good-Bye! |
(This schedule is subject to change)
Temple Information
Address: 164 Mihwangsa-gil, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
Tel: 061-533-3521
E-mail: mihwangsa2@templestay.com
Fees
Mihwangsa Healing Templestay Program – adults – 80,000 won; students – 70,000 won; pre-schoolers – 50,000 won
*The cancellation policy at Mihwangsa Temple is that 1 day before your arrival date, you’ll only get a 50% refund.
Links
Reservations for the Mihwangsa Healing Templestay Program
