Temple Information
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- Bongeunsa Temple
- History of Bongeunsa TempleBongeunsa is a 1,200 year old temple located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Built in 794 C.E. during the reign of King Wonseong by National Teacher, Ven. Yeonhoe, Bongeunsa became the head temple of the Seon sect during the Joseon Dynasty, when the government supported Confucianism, while oppressing Buddhism. Due to the efforts of Ven. Bowu, who devoted himself to the revival of Korean Buddhism, by official recognition Bongeunsa became a stepping stone for this development. In addition, through the national examinations for recruiting monks, it produced great masters such as Master Seosan and Samyeong, who revived the lineage of Seon (Zen) practice in Korea. In the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty, Ven. Younggi built the Pan-jeon to store and preserve Buddhist scriptures, as well as eighty-one engraved volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra. Jeonghee Kim, at that time a great scholar and calligrapher, resided here and developed his own unique writing style, known as Chusache. More recently, when Bongeunsa was experiencing a period of decline, Ven. Youngam gradually gathered land and laid the foundation for a huge temple compound in present-day Gangnam. In the 1960s, the Dongguk Translation Institute was established at this temple to spearhead the translation of Buddhist scriptures from Chinese to Korean. This temple was also the birthplace of the Buddhist youth movement. Today, Bongeunsa is writing a new history for Korean Buddhism, establishing itself as the center of Buddhist practice. Monks apply themselves to chanting, monastic meals, communal work, and Seon meditation. The administration opened its financial records to the public, and allowed the laity to be part of management. The lay people are not only engaged in religious activities including prayer, meditation and Buddhist services, but also participate in volunteer work and other social work to help modern-day Buddhism reach out to the community. Moreover, more and more Buddhists are studying scriptures to stay on the right track as followers of the Buddha. With this drive from all parts of temple, Bongeunsa is moving ahead to become a haven of practice and compassion.
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- Hwagyesa Temple
- Practice together with the foreign monks and nuns at….
Hwagyesa Temple is located deep in the foothills of Samgaksan Mountain, even while being close to the city center. It was founded in 1522 C.E. during the reign of Joseon King Jungjong, in the Buheodong region of Samgaksan, as the hermitage Bodeokam. Bodeokam was a hermitage founded during the beginning of the Goryeo Dynasty in the vicinity of the present Hwagyesa. Hwagyesa received a lot of support from the Joseon Dynasty royal family, particularly during the reign of King Gojong, when the Queen Mother and her retainers would frequent the temple, so it became known as the “Palace temple.” In addition, in 1933 a group of nine Korean literature scholars stayed at the temple for a conference to finalize the unified orthography of the Korean Hangul alphabet. But more than anything else, the name Hwagyesa is widely known due to the efforts of the Korean monk Ven. Seungsahn (1927-2004). The Ven. Seungsahn started living and practicing at Hwagyesa in the mid 1960’s. During his frequent world travels, he taught more than 50,000 disciples around the globe. There are more than 100 international monks and nuns who ordained under Ven. Seungsahn at Hwagyesa. During his lifetime Ven. Seungsahn came to be revered as a living Buddha, due to his incredible efforts and influence spreading the Dharma abroad. After he entered Nirvana in 2004, the mourners at his funeral and subsequent public cremation were predominantly international monks and nuns.Hwagyesa’s Templestay ProgramHwagyesa still has many international monks living and practicing there. If you participate in the Hwagyesa Templestay program, you can join in practice together with the International Zen Center monks for meditation, mountain hiking and drinking tea. Also, during the Gyeoljae period (three month meditation retreats every summer and winter), you can join the monastic formal meal together with the monks and nuns. There are also Dharma Talks in English every Sunday in the International Zen Center. Hwagyesa does not have the feel of being in a city, even though it is still technically located in Seoul. Once you pass through the Iljoomun (One Pillar Gate), another world unfolds before you. Whereas outside of the Iljoomun all the houses are tightly packed together, inside the temple gate, the forest lined road stretches into the distance. The sound of the water resonating from the valley below is yet another gift that welcomes the visitor. People often drop by the stream for a short time just to soak their feet. The practice of 3000 bows, held on the last Saturday evening of every month, is also very well-known. 
Templestaywrite what one experiences
- Unexpected Win Leads to Refreshed Mind, Body at Tongdo Temple 2010.07.22
- I was sitting in the office, reading the paper, when I noticed a competition where one could win a ``templestay.' Though I had heard of this before, I had never really considered going on one. On a whim, I decided to answer the easy question online, thinking no more about it.
enter 
NoticeAn important notice for everyone
- [2011.12.30]
Newly opened Templestay App Book for iPAD and Galexy Users
[2011.11.22]2nd Templestay Personal Essay Contest 2011
[2011.08.08]
NewsNeed to read about the news
Let's enjoy special Templestay on Lunar New Year's Day
[2012.01.16]Geumsan-sa Summer Templestay Program: I Need a Break
[2011.07.13]Buddha’s Teachings on the Kindness of Parents
[2011.06.05]
