Korean Job Discussion Forums

Boodleheimer · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:49 am Post subject: Anybody done a temple stay?

Has anyone tried a temple stay? I'm moving from China to Korea and I think it'll be a good way to get all that China out of my system. What's it like? Do you have any recommendations?

peppermint · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:18 am Post subject:

I did, but it was about 4 years ago and seemed pretty disorganized at that temple ( no translator!) I'm sure they've got things better run now.

Aside from that, you live for a night or two as the monks do- early to bed, early waking, prayers in the middle of the night. We got an introduction to caligraphystyle painting , and the tea ceremony as well as a solid intro to buddhism.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

I did one in 2002 with Korea National Tourism Organisation (KNTO).
It was really good. We had an English speaking tour guide to explain everything.

We did the tea ceremony, meditation, got to hit the big bell and did lots of bowing.

The temple we stayed at was north of Seoul. Very close to the NK border.

They are currently advetising Gyonggido Temple Stays: http://english.tour2korea.com/04Bookings/Accommodations/templeStay.asp?pType=I&kosm=m4_1&konum=subm5_1

ilovebdt

jddacosta · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: korea

I am looking to do a temple stay as well but cannot find how to reserve it, I found a lot about temple stays online, but nothing on booking it....

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

canuck in Ansan · Joined: 27 Jul 2005

http://eng.templestay.com/

hallooo11 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Location: Busan, south korea

I did a temple stay two months ago... Depends where your going... Some of the Temples have monks or students who speak English, some don't... The food is amazing, vegan... Sleeping arangements are traditional Korean bedding... Just go with an open mind... Some temples you can just show up on the friday or Saturday and start then.... No regestration needed...
Good luck...

jddacosta · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: korea

I just did a temple stay and it was amazing! I recommend: Golgul-sa. You take a bus or train to Kyongju and then a bus (#100 or 150) to the temple. Just ask the bus driver to tell you to get off at golgulsa.
They have right now a Guy from New Zealand and a girl from Wales who are gonna be there for a while (she only goes on weekends until end of August, he is there everyday) and they are great help for translations and stuff. Some of the monks speak a little English. they concentrate on the practice of SUNMUNDO which is a combination of yoga, taekwando and Tai chi. So, you get to practice this with them!! Super cool! You can get to their website from the temple stay website but I reccomend calling to reserve. It is not a big deal to reserve a place, they have plenty of space. They do have a major kids camp soon, so I don't know the situation with temple stay then.