Life and Times in Korea: Templestays: More Than You Might Anticipate

The following was originally an article written for a Korean website:

Peace. Relaxation. Excellent food and the creation of it. Observation and appreciation of natural beauty. Unique and stimulating activities. Cultural, social, and religious education. Opportunities to learn new things and to exercise that knowledge.

Yes indeed, there are countless reasons for attending a weekend (or even longer, if desired) templestay - and if you visit or live in Korea, you’ve come to the right place. This richly beautiful country has been considerably influenced by Buddhist culture (which was originally introduced by the Chinese nearly 2400 years ago), and hence, temples and templestay programs abound.

Throughout its significant history, Korean Buddhism has always been slightly unlike other forms of the religion. Not unexpectedly, the beliefs and practices here have been a combination of Korean culture’s own specific history and related philosophies with a newly introduced belief system. This blending resulted in a distinct variation in what is now called 통불교 (tongbulgyo).

Fortunately, you needn’t be an expert in either theology or cosmology to appreciate the true value of a templestay (although a basic understanding can never hurt). Buddhists are notorious for their friendly and welcoming demeanors, and this reality provides for a fantastically open and inclusive environment on a templestay. Perhaps, it might very likely be preferred that a visitor be mostly uninformed of Buddhism and their traditions.

Also, rather honestly, a lack of familiarity promotes a sense of curiosity that will allow for a more inquisitive spirit on your stay at a temple. A newcomer will constantly be filled with questions about the foreign sights and goings-on.

Each individual templestay is incomparable and every program offers different activities. However, some common themes are pervasive: gorgeous architecture and scenery, ample meditation time, various arts and crafts – most certainly including prayer bead (mala) making, and food preparation and consumption.

In a turn of irony, while one main aspect of a temple seems to be relaxation, to accommodate for the many activities of a templestay, the schedule can be quite rigorous. One certainty, following any (possibly a little bit uncomfortable) evening of sleeping on the floor, expect a very early wake-up call to greet the dawn. Keep in mind that Buddha waits for no one:

You will frequently be tired and groggy. You will repeatedly sit in the cross-legged lotus position until your knees ache. You will hike for hours and perform dozens of full prostration bows until your back feels like it can’t take any more. You will be asked to remain silent for the probably the longest you’ve done so in a very long time. You will very possibly get annoyed when your art project doesn’t come out the way you envisioned it. But don’t give up - it will make that last tea ceremony feel all the more earned..

While a bit of frustration and/or confusion are natural reactions when confronted with new challenges, an attitude of openness and willingness will greatly improve your experience. Remember that you will be a guest of the temple in which you’re visiting, and so it’s highly recommended that you approach your stay in a way that recognizes the generosity of your hosts. Afterall, many people throughout the world contend that a temple’s primary objective is to teach us tolerance and acceptance.

You should definitely feel exhausted at the end of your adventure, but most of all, overcome with a great sense of accomplishment and enrichment. Though you may initially set out with a simple goal of exploring the unknown in an unfamiliar setting, without a doubt, the templestay experience will leave you with a greater understanding of something. Quite possibly yourself.