The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism will run more than 60 "Special Summer Templestay" programs at over 50 temples nationwide from July through August for the summer vacation and school break season, the organization said Tuesday.
This summer's special templestay will offer a variety of types, including summer retreat and leisure, children/youth/family experiences, youth healing, meditation and practice, and regional and unique cultural experiences. Participants can choose from experience-focused programs to quiet rest and meditation programs according to their interests.
The summer retreat and leisure programs consist of experiences using mountains, valleys and seas in summer. Naksansa Temple will run a surfing templestay combining surfing lessons and wave meditation, while Ssanggyesa Temple has prepared a program that combines Seomjingang River rafting with a mountain temple experience. Yachtsailing at Yakcheonsa Temple, scuba diving at Gwaneumsa Temple, and water activity programs at Baekdamsa, Munsuam and Seonunsa Temples also draw attention.
There are also various programs for children, youth and families participating during the summer break. Magoksa, Tongdosa, Naewonjeongsa and Mugaksa Temples will run children's summer Buddhist schools and mountain temple camps, while Beopjusa, Eunhaesa, Naesosa and Daeheungsa Temples will hold traditional cultural experience programs for families to participate in together.
Healing, meditation and practice programs for young people have also been prepared. Yongheungsa and Daewonsa Temples will run special summer break programs for people in their 20s and university students, while Yongyeonsa and Gwaneumsa Temples have prepared programs where young people can experience rest and healing in nature.
The meditation and practice programs are designed to let participants feel the essential appeal of the templestay. Songgwangsa Temple will conduct seated, walking and lying meditation, Cheongnyangsa Temple will offer a practice program themed on the threefold training of precepts, concentration and wisdom, and Yonghwasa, Buddha Seonwon, the International Seon Center and Dogapsa will provide time to reflect on body and mind through various forms of meditation including Seon meditation and tea meditation.
There are also unique programs that highlight regional culture and the individual character of each temple. Yongmunsa Temple will run a temple food experience templestay, Songgwangsa Temple in Wanju will offer a traditional hanji paper experience, and Seogosa Temple will run a "cample-stay" combining camping and templestay. In addition, Seonamsa Temple will offer fire gazing and barefoot walking on red clay paths, Hwaeomsa Temple will hold a mosquito net concert, and Seokbulsa Temple will hold a book concert and a special templestay for photographers.
Ilhwa, head of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, said, "The special summer templestay is a time to restore body and mind within nature and temple culture, beyond a simple trip." Detailed programs and schedules for the special summer templestay can be found on the official templestay website. Reservations can be made on the templestay reservation website.
Healing, meditation and practice programs for young people have also been prepared. Yongheungsa and Daewonsa Temples will run special summer break programs for people in their 20s and university students, while Yongyeonsa and Gwaneumsa Temples have prepared programs where young people can experience rest and healing in nature.
The meditation and practice programs are designed to let participants feel the essential appeal of the templestay. Songgwangsa Temple will conduct seated, walking and lying meditation, Cheongnyangsa Temple will offer a practice program themed on the threefold training of precepts, concentration and wisdom, and Yonghwasa, Buddha Seonwon, the International Seon Center and Dogapsa will provide time to reflect on body and mind through various forms of meditation including Seon meditation and tea meditation.
There are also unique programs that highlight regional culture and the individual character of each temple. Yongmunsa Temple will run a temple food experience templestay, Songgwangsa Temple in Wanju will offer a traditional hanji paper experience, and Seogosa Temple will run a "cample-stay" combining camping and templestay. In addition, Seonamsa Temple will offer fire gazing and barefoot walking on red clay paths, Hwaeomsa Temple will hold a mosquito net concert, and Seokbulsa Temple will hold a book concert and a special templestay for photographers.
Ilhwa, head of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, said, "The special summer templestay is a time to restore body and mind within nature and temple culture, beyond a simple trip." Detailed programs and schedules for the special summer templestay can be found on the official templestay website. Reservations can be made on the templestay reservation website.
