Korean Temple Stay
The earliest tourists were pilgrims, making their way through exotic deserts and across foreign shores on a holy journey. They didn’t have digital cameras or blogs, but their journeys were as much about the soul as about discovering new cultures, cuisines and adventure. The Lotus Lantern Meditation Centre offers Zen Buddhist teaching in an impressive temple surrounded by lush forest and fertile farms. It was originally set up to introduce visiting foreigners to Buddhism, offering basic but well-maintained accommodation and reflective garden pagodas. Visitors don grey robes, eat strictly vegetarian meals in silence, learn about meditation and the worthiness of chores in a relaxed, tranquil environment.
Length of Trip : Typically 1 or more nights, with visitors driving in from Seoul.
Cost :
Click here to find the latest rates.
Best time to go : April to June
Wheelchair friendly : Contact the temple to make arrangements
Family friendly : Not recommended for children
Where to eat :
All meals are vegetarian and served in silence at the temple. Monks make sure you only dish up from the buffet what you eat, as wasted food is not condoned.
Official Site :
https://eng.templestay.com/temple_info.asp?t_id=lotus
Where to Stay :
Accommodation is on-site the Lotus Lantern Meditation Centre. Rooms are typically shared, and bedding consists of a thin mat laid on a spotless wooden floor.
Getting There :
You can take the number 3000 bus from Shinchon Subway Station (Line #2) in Seoul. A car from Lotus Lantern can be arranged to pick you up at Gangwha Terminal.
Note from Robin :
Visitors can choose the weekend program, an intense week of meditation, or stay for a longer period of rest. Each day’s schedule involves chanting, meditation, garden work, slow walks, calligraphy classes, and several other options for those who need to keep themselves busy. All meals are vegetarian, eaten in strict silence, although a monk’s cellphone did ring during dinner, leading to some muffled giggles from the visitors.
