[464 Trip] Exploring Korea’s Historic Temples and Enriching Experience of Templestays

   Korea is a country rich in history and cultural heritage. Among the most significant influences is Buddhism,  which has profoundly shaped Korean culture and society, as evidenced by the many temples that still stand today. Temples have artistic beauty beyond just religious meaning and provide emotional stability to modern people. In addition, many temples today offer Templestay programs where people can experience  the daily life of practitioners. Following the previous representative temples in Seoul, The Dongguk Post would like to introduce two major temples and Templestay programs outside of Seoul.

   Korea is home to three Monasteries of the Three Jewels, known as Sambo temples: Tongdo-sa Temple in Yangsan, Haein-sa Temple on Gayasan Mountain, and Songgwang-sa Temple in Suncheon. The term “Sambo” refers to the Three Jewels which are highly valued in Buddhism: Bulbo (the Buddha), Beopbo (Buddha’s teaching), and Seungbo (the practitioner who follows those teachings). Each of these temples preserves one of these Three Jewels.

Tongdo-sa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Tongdo-sa Temple is located in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and was founded by Jajangyulsa, a Buddhist monk from Silla during the Three Kingdoms period. Among the Sambo temples in Korea, Tongdo sa Temple is a Bulbo temple that keeps the remains of the Buddha. It was designated as a monument in Yangsan in 2018, and in June of the same year, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Sansa, Korea’s Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea.”

   Tongdo-sa Temple was founded in 643 by Buddhist monk Jajangyulsa after studying Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty of China. Tongdo-sa Temple was recognized as an important temple from the time it was built because it kept the remains and scriptures the monk brought with him when he returned to the Silla. In particular, it is the first temple in Korean history to keep a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures. 

   Meanwhile, the Templestay at Tongdosa Temple is held on a large scale, which is in line with its reputation as a representative temple in Korea. In the morning, the monks teach people temple etiquette, and volunteer organizations brief ly explain Tongdo-sa cultural properties. In the afternoon, they will have time to meditate in the temple hall with a lotus lantern. In addition, participants can choose between a resting Templestay and an experiential Templestay. In a resting Templestay, participants are required to meditate and eat in silence. The experiential Templestay is a program conducted according to a set schedule in a group.

Haein-sa Temple of Mt. Gayasan in Hapcheon

   Haein-sa Temple is located in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, and was founded by monks Suneung and Lee Jeong during the Unified Silla Period. Haein-sa Temple is a Beopbo temple that enshrines the Tripitaka Koreana, which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is currently the center of various Buddhist practices and educational activities.

   Monk Suneung began building Haeinsa in 802, but it was completed by his disciple Lee Jeong after Suneung’s sudden passing. Later, when Lee Seonggye, the first king of Joseon, moved the Tripitaka Koreana here, Haein-sa Temple played an important role in protecting the country. The Tripitaka Koreana was created in the mid-13th century with the hope of defeating Mongolia’s invasions and played a role in protecting the state.

   Janggyeonggak, a building that houses the Goryeo Tripitaka, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage because it was evaluated as a scientific and complete building, and the Goryeo Tripitaka was designated as a UNESCO Memory of the World.

   Meanwhile, Haein-sa Temple operates a Templestay program to inform visitors of the historical tradition of Haein-sa Temple and provide opportunities to experience the practice and life of Buddhism. Haein-sa Temple offers a variety of systematic Templestay programs. Representatively, it operates a volunteer program, “Taking a Step Back,” and “Finding Myself through Sesame Tree Meditation.” The volunteer  program runs for six nights and seven days, and participants will volunteer to clean and prepare for programs. The “Taking a Step Rest” program lasts two nights and three days. Participants will have time to  walk along the valley and find their true selves. “Finding Myself through Sesame Tree Meditation” is a meditation program.

   As such, temples have played an important role in Korean Buddhism with their historical and cultural values. Just as Tongdo-sa Temple and Haein-sa Temple were designated as monuments and national heritage sites, the value of each temple is very high. At the same time, temples provide a valuable space for modern people to experience Buddhist culture. Visiting these temples and experiencing Templestays away from your daily lives will provide a unique and valuable experience.