Naesosa Temple Stay
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Location243, Naesosa-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryFestival ? Event
- Korean내소사 템플 스테이
- Chinese來蘇寺-
- FieldReligion / Buddhism
- Contents TypeEvent
- Location243, Naesosa-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Location of Organizer243, Naesosa-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- A cultural program run by Naesosa Temple in Seokpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do to provide the general public with opportunities to experience the monastic life of Korean Buddhism.
- Summary
- As its name suggests, the Temple Stay is a cultural program designed to offer participants an opportunity to experience Korean Buddhist culture while staying at a Buddhist monastery for a brief period. The program originated from the tradition of gathering devoted followers of Buddha to train their mind. The program has gradually developed into a government-sponsored tourist program and is now one of the most popular attractions in Korea among international tourists.
- Origins and Background of the Festival
- The Temple Stay program of Naesosa Temple was launched in 2004 and included on the list of Temple Stay programs organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
- Content of Events
- The Temple Stay program of Naesosa Temple consists of an initiation, a ceremonial meal with alms bowls, a prayer service, meditation, and walking meditation. The temple is widely regarded as the ideal place to experience the monastic life thanks to the breathtakingly beautiful natural environment of Byeonsan. The Temple Stay is a two-day program consisting of opportunities to learn about and experience Buddhist monastery etiquette, meditation, a silent tour of the monastery, ceremonial meals, prayer services, early morning meditation walks, and trekking along a scenic route to Jikso Waterfalls, which are admired as one of the Eight Great Views of Byeonsan. The Temple Stay program of Naesosa Temple has been made accessible to a wider public, including families with children, local youths, multicultural families and foreign visitors.
Many participants in the program have said that such activities as lotus lantern making and trekking help them to discover their true self and deepen understanding between their family members, thereby strengthening family bonds. For local youth, the program provides special activities to help them relieve stress and anxiety caused by their schoolwork or their relationships with their fellow students or teachers, such as the "Tea-table Talk with a Priests, “Mandala Meditation” (art therapy), “Teamwork” (mind and body training) and "Morning Prayer and Woodland Meditation”, all of which can help them to discipline their mind and body. The program also operates special cultural activities for international participants, including an introduction to monastery etiquette, a tour of the monastery, evening prayer services, woodland meditation, the hundred and eight bows, trekking to Jikso Waterfalls, and commemorative tree planting.
- Current Status
- The Temple Stay program run by Naesosa Temple is open to anyone who is interested in the Buddhist cultural heritage preserved by Korean Buddhist monasteries. The program is largely divided into the following four activities: rest and relaxation, meditation, trekking, and summer holiday activities, and normally lasts for two days and one night. However, most of the activities are subject to change according to the circumstances of the participants, for example, whether they are young or elderly, individuals or groups. There are ten places on each program. The Naesosa Temple Stay Office provides all the administrative services related with the program, while Hoeseungdang Hall is the main venue for the indoor activities.
- See Also