 Myogaksa Temple | |
| Established | May 1930 |
|---|---|
| Location | 178-3 Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Telephone | 82-2-763-3109 |
| Website | http://www.myogaksa.net/ |
Myogaksa Temple is a Korean Buddhist temple located in the heart of downtown Seoul, South Korea, in the Jongro District, nestled on the east side of Naksan Mountain. Myogaksa Temple was established in May 1930 by Monk Taeheo Hongseon.[1] The temple’s location was selected based on the principles of Feng Shui, which dictated that a temple built in its location would bring peace and comfort to Seoul’s residents.
Myogaksa serves as a place devoted to the spiritual peace and enlightenment of the citizens. It also has become a place where locals and tourists can escape the daily hustle-and-bustle of Seoul to experience the serenity of Buddhism.
Temple Stay
editMyogaksa Temple has a unique cultural program, known as "Temple Stay", that provides participants the opportunity to experience the life of Buddhist practitioners and learn the various aspects of the 1700-years old Korean Buddhist culture and history through stories told by monks. The temple stay program has been operating since the 2002 World Cup game and continues to run every day.
Myogaksa offers two kinds of Temple Stay programs. The first option is an overnight program, where participants spend 2 days and 1 night experience life as a Buddhist practitioner. The second program is a daylong cultural program called "Laying Down My Mind." Depending on age, personal preference, and the time participants would like to spend at the temple, there are a variety of program activities available for everyone, such as:[2]
- 108 Yeomju (Prayer Beads) Making: Participants experience an opportunity to make a rosary, during which they will thread 108 beads one by one followed by one prostration for each threading.
- Experience of Bell-striking: Participants join the temple bell striking ceremony in the quiet and still hours of dawn and evening.
- Dawn Trekking at Naksan Park: To promote reflection on oneself, participants are given the opportunity to take a short hike behind the Mountain Spirit Shrine to turn their attention within.
- Dado (Tea Ceremony): Participants are able to feel the gratitude and preciousness of having tea and a little fruit after finishing the group work and breakfast. The tea ceremony has a difficult and complex decorum and helps enable participants to experience the non-duality of tea and Seon (Zen), namely one of the supreme stages of Buddhist practice.
- Gongyang (Temple's Mealing)
- Meditation
- Predawn Buddhist Service
The temple stays at Myogaksa are open to all those wanting to experience traditional Korean Buddhist culture.