Where to find temple stays across the country
 
 
 
These are the temple stay program introduction provided by the Korea Tourism Organization.

Reservations must be made at least two weeks prior to the start of the program and need to be confirmed three days before the program begins.

Jogyesa

45, Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Reservations: international.jogyesa.or.kr

Located in the capital city of Korea, Jogyesa has long been a center stage for important Buddhist events. It is also the head temple of the Jogye Order which is the largest and the most influential Buddhist schools in Korea.

 
 Hwagyesa

487, Suyu 1-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

Reservations: zenseoul@yahoo.com

A temple established in 1522, Hwagyesa has grown into a center for international Buddhist mission following the teachings of Reverend Sungsan.

Participants in the temple stay program will be invited to a seon or zen session, hiking and tea ceremony with foreign monks studying in the temple’s International Seon Center.

Myogaksa

178-3, Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Reservations: yeodiamond@naver.com

The temple has become a major praying site since its establishment over 500 years ago. The benign image of Avalokitesvara carved on the rocky cliff has given the temple a reputation as a major sanctuary for Avalokitesvara worship.

Bongeunsa

73, Samseong-dong, Ganganam-gu, Seoul

Reservations: www.bongeun.org

Located in Sudosan, Samseong-dong of Seoul’s busiest and most thriving commercial districts in Seoul, Bongeunsa is famous for its long history of over 1,200 years.

Baekdamsa

690, Yongdae-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje, Gangwon Province

Reservations: baekdamsa@Baekdamsa.org

Baekdamsa is a historic Buddhist temple located in the remote inner range of Mount Seorak, which is often regarded as having the most scenic mountain peaks and valleys in Korea.

The temple is seated in the depth of Baekdam Valley surrounded by stunningly beautiful scenery.

Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center

85-1, Giljik-ri, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghoeguk, Incheon

Reservations: lotuslantern.net/english

Lotus Lantern Meditation Center is located on Ganghwa Island. It is surrounded by nature offering a great comfort to temple stay participants. The temple is also famous for its architecture that takes the combination of traditional Korean temple to modern buildings.

Woljeongsa

63, Dongsan-ri, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang District, Gangwon Province

Reservations: templestay@hotmail.com

Seated in a dense fir forest with attractive hiking routes, Woljeongsa harbors a number of treasures including a Jewel Palace of Shakyamuni enshrining the historical Buddha’s reliquary, a seated Manjusri statue and a Silla bell.

Beopheungsa

422-1, Beopeung-ri, Suju-myeon, Yeongwol District, Gangwon Province

Reservations: bubheungsa@hanmail.net

One of Korea’s five Jewel Palaces of Shakyamuni enshrining the reliquary of the historical Buddha, Beopheungsa has been a major prayer center and home of wisdom among Korean Buddhists.

Yeongpyeongsa

441, Sanhwari Janggi-myeon, Gongju City, South Chungcheong Province

Reservations: nono28@nate.com

The temple is visited not just for its Buddhist cultural heritage but also for the serene environment surrounding the temple which is noted for the undisturbed flora and fauna.

Haeinsa

10, Chiilli, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, South Gyeongsang Province

Reservations: haeintemple@hanmail.net

One of the triple jewel temples along with Tongdosa and Songgwangsa, Haeinsa represents the gem of Dharma for the entire Korean Buddhism. The temple is consisted of many listed cultural properties including three National Treasures, the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, the Tripitaka Koreana Repository and Miscellaneous Goryeo Woodblocks.

Girimsa

419, Hoam-ri, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province

Reservations: kirimsa@naver.com

Girimsa is located on the mid-slope of Mount Hamwol, one of the two most admired mountains in Gyeongju along with Mount Toham. The name comes from its unique geographical feature that old Koreans liked to compare with the moon "ejected" from the East Sea.

 

Golgulsa

304, Andong-ri, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju Citym North Gyeongsang Province

Reservations: d-kumkang@hanmail.net

Home of Seonmudo, a martial art developed by Hwarang (flower knights, the elite youth corps of Silla), Golgulsa is still dedicated to preserving and inheriting the great Korean cultural heritage. This unique Buddhist martial art consists of regular seon practice, yoga, gigong (life force cultivation) and various physical exercises.

Pyochungsa

23, Gucheon-ri, Dangjang-myeon, Miryang City, South Gyeongsang Province

Reservations: shc1150@hanmail.net

This historic Buddhist temple is famous for the great scenery including Korea’s largest highland marsh Sandeulneup and geographic features of Sajapyeong of Mount Jaeyak, as well as Cheungcheung Waterfalls and a huge bamboo forest.

Beomeosa

546, Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan

Reservations: beomeosa@hanmail.net

Beomeosa is known to have been established in 678 by a great Silla Monk named Uisang as one of the 10 Avatamsaka monasteries. It has also been a major prayer center for patriots and war heroes.

Mihwangsa

247, Seojeong-ri, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, South Jeolla Province

Reservations: dalmaom@hanmail.net

The temple was founded some 1,300 years ago in Mount Dalma and contains Korea’s largest stupa terrace.

Jeongdeungsa

635, Onsu-ri, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwaguk, Incheon

Jeongdeungsa is an old Buddhist temple famous for the important historical relics contained in its sanctuary such as a Goryeo royal palace, which is now ruined, built as part of the resistance against the Mongol invaders in the 13th century and Jeongjok History Repository, which was used for safe storage of the world famous Annals of the Joseon Dynasty.

Bonginsa

304, Songneungri, Jingyeon-eup, Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province

As the name of the temple that literally means "respect for the truths discovered by Buddha, Bonginsa is dedicated to samatha and vipassana, that is, "calm abiding" and "insight meditation."

Buseoksa

160, Chwipyeong-ri, Buseok-myeon, Seosan City, South Chungcheong Province

Buseoksa is famous for the two great seon or zen masters who revived the glorious seon tradition in Korea, Gyeongheo and Mangong. Also renowned for the beautiful natural heritage preserving healthy ecosystem, it is visited by numerous bird watchers seeking for migratory birds who flock to the nearby Cheonsuman Bay.

Sudeoksa

Sacheon-ri, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, South Chungcheong Province

Such great seon monks as Gyeongheo and Mangong turned the temple into the home of Seon Buddhism in modern Korea.

Geumsansa

39, Geumsan-ri, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje City, North Jeolla Province

Geumsansa is a historic Buddhist monastery established in 599 to celebrate the enthronement of the Baekje’s new ruler King Beop. The temple is still widely regarded among Korean Buddhists as a right place to prepare for a new day and a brighter future.

Naesosa

268, Soekpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Busan-gun, North Jeolla Province

This historic temple is famous for a 600-meter-long road linking its two main gates Iljumun and Cheonwangmun. Its main prayer hall Daeungjeon is widely considered a great masterpiece representing Korea’s architecture from the mid-Joseon period.

Hwaeomsa

12, Hwangjeon-ri, Masan-myeon, Gurye-gun, South Jeolla Province

Records say that Hwaeomsa was founded in 544 by Yeongi Jonja (honorable Nidana) from India when Baekje was under the rule of King Sejong by Yeongi. It is located in the mid-slope of Mount Jiri.

Songgwangsa

12, Sinpyeong-ri, Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon City, South Jeolla Province

One of Korea’s triratna temples representing the jewel of Sangha in Korea, Songgwangsa has been sharing the very history of Korean Buddhism. The temple has recently launched a weekend temple stay program.

Daeheungsa

799, Gurim-ri, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, South Jeolla Province

Located in the scenic natural environment of the Duryunsan Provincial Park in Haenam, the temple is popular among patriots and is a home of Korea’s tea culture. Main attractions include a forest walking trail.

 

2009.06.02