What a temple stay is
A temple stay is a programme that lets visitors spend a day or more living at a Korean Buddhist temple, following part of the monastic routine. In Korea such programmes are organised in coordination with the main Buddhist order and are offered at many temples, both in mountain settings and in cities. They are open to people of any religion, or none, and some are designed with foreign visitors in mind, with explanations in several languages.
Programmes started to become widespread in the early 2000s, and have since grown in number and variety. The basic aim, as the temples usually describe it, is to offer a taste of the monastic way of life and a chance to rest from ordinary routines. It should not be mistaken for a full retreat or for ordination.
This description is general. Programmes differ widely between temples, and details change. Check the current information from the temple or the official programme before you book or travel.
Two main kinds
Programmes tend to fall into two broad types. One is a rest-oriented stay, in which guests take part in as little or as much of the schedule as they wish and spend time walking, reading or sitting quietly. The other is an experience-oriented stay with a fuller timetable of guided activities. Lengths range from a single afternoon or a night to several days, and some temples run longer programmes at set times of year. Consider carefully which fits your needs.
A typical day
The schedule below is only indicative and varies:
- Evening arrival and orientation. Guests are shown their rooms, usually simple shared rooms with floor bedding, and are given loose clothing to wear. There is an introduction to the rules and to basic etiquette, such as how to bow and how to hold the hands in greeting.
- Evening service and early night. Guests may join the evening bell and chanting. Lights are typically out early, often around nine in the evening.
- Pre-dawn wake-up. Waking is early, commonly around three or four in the morning. The morning service follows, with chanting and bows, in the sequence described in the article on bells, drums and chanting.
- Meditation. Guided sitting meditation and sometimes walking meditation are taught in simple terms. Seon is the main tradition in Korea, as the article on Seon Buddhism explains.
- Breakfast. Meals are vegetarian and taken in quiet, sometimes in the formal bowl style. The principles are covered in the entry on temple food.
- Activities. Depending on the programme, these may include 108 prostrations, making a lotus lantern, stringing a 108-bead rosary, a walk on the temple grounds, a tea session with a monk or nun, and a talk about Buddhism. Some temples include light work, such as helping in the kitchen or garden.
- Departure. Guests clean their rooms and say goodbye.
The 108 bows and early start can be physically demanding. Anyone with knee, back or other health problems should consider this in advance and speak to the temple organisers. Participation in physical practices is voluntary, and a good programme will allow modifications.
Rules and conduct
Guests are generally asked to respect the following:
- Silence and calm. Speak quietly, especially in the evening and early morning, and keep mobile phones to a minimum or switched off in the halls.
- No alcohol, tobacco, meat or similar. These are not allowed on temple grounds. Intimate behaviour is also not appropriate.
- Modest clothing. Bring loose, modest clothes. The standard temple dress code applies, and the temple may provide a vest and trousers for your stay.
- Shoes. Remove them before entering halls and rooms, following the customs that guide temple entry customs generally.
- Respect for the community. Do not touch monks or nuns, avoid pointing feet at images and ask before taking photographs. Note that a monastery guesthouse stay carries the same expectations in principle.
- Following the schedule. Arrive on time for services and meals, and finish your meal as the temple asks.
Showing respect does not require belief. Many guests treat the stay as a cultural experience, and temples generally welcome this while asking guests to follow the house rules. It is also fine to decline an activity politely if you are uncomfortable with it.
Practical points
Facilities are usually simple. Rooms may be heated by the floor in winter and may lack private bathrooms, and mountain temples can be cold, damp or hot depending on the season. Bring appropriate clothes, and check current weather. Fees, booking systems, languages offered, rules for children and conditions for photography are matters that change, so use the official channels. Be careful of unofficial offers, and do not rely on general descriptions like this one for specific arrangements.
A temple stay is a visit to a place of religious practice, and it works best if approached with curiosity, patience and a willingness to follow the schedule.