1. What is Korean Temple Stay?
Initiated during the 2002 World Cup, Templestay allows travelers to stay overnight in historic mountain monasteries, experiencing the daily monastic life of Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism under the Jogye Order.
2. Program Types: Experiential vs Restful
- Experiential (Cheheom-hyeong): Structured program including temple tours, Dawn Yebul chanting, Seon meditation, 108 bows with prayer bead making, and tea with a monk (*Chadam*).
- Restful (Hyusik-hyeong): Flexible peaceful stay where you attend communal meals but spend days quietly reading, hiking forest paths, or contemplating.
3. Essential Monastic Manners
- Chahap (Hand Posture): Keep hands folded together over your abdomen while walking through temple courtyards.
- Dress Code: Modest attire covering shoulders and knees; provided temple vestments are worn over your clothes.
- Barugongyang (Monastic Meal): Completely silent dining in four nested wooden bowls; eat all food taken, cleaning the bowls at the end with warm tea and a preserved radish slice.
4. Official Booking
Book directly through the official national portal: eng.templestay.com. Over 30 temples feature dedicated English-speaking monks and coordinators (e.g. Jogyesa, Bongeunsa, Woljeongsa, Haeinsa, Bulguksa).