Buddhism & TempleStay
Buddhism was introduced to Korea more than 1600 years ago and has had a long and lasting influence on Korean culture. Today, many people identify as Buddhists and temples can be found everywhere. Many temples are beautiful and peaceful places to visit and are essential stops for travelers in Korea.
Buddhism was introduced to Korea in 372 BCE and today there are tens of thousands of temples across the country.
While experience-oriented templestays are popular, there are other programs that focus on resting and decompressing.
Historically, temples were built on mountainsides which makes them even more appealing to visit. Visitors can take a walk in the greenery of the mountains and around the temple complex.
In the temples, you’ll find ancient buildings, pagoda towers, and sculptures within the well-kept grounds. Inside the temple buildings, there are works of Buddhist art like paintings and sculptures. And some of the temple buildings themselves are cultural relics.
You can go for a brief visit or even stay overnight. Buddhist temples offer templestay programs where visitors can experience different aspects of temple life. Participants can learn about Buddhism, have tea with monks, and participate in activities unique to each temple.
During templestays, participants live as monks do; eating vegan temple food, joining meditation sessions, and doing communal work. Temples also offer unique educational experiences like learning how to cook temple cuisine and learning an ancient Buddhist martial art.
Buddhist monks in Korea have been eating an eco-friendly diet for more than a thousand years. Since the very beginning, temple food has been locally-sourced, vegan, and low-waste. Around lunch time, many temples offer visitors simple meals, often for free.
The nature surrounding the temples offers many possibilities for other activities. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the countryside and walk among the greenery and temple buildings or hike the mountain trails. As many temples are located within national parks, there are plenty of outdoor activities nearby.
If you’re looking for a more leisurely experience, there are some temples on the coast where you can visit the beaches and seafood markets before or after the temple.