Geumsansa Buddhist Temple Stay

I left early Saturday morning and joined two lovely ladies, along with 20 some others, for a temple stay at the Geumsansa Buddhist Temple about 3 hours South in Jeollabuk-do. The object of a temple stay is to live and learn the lifestyle of a Buddhist monk. I went with little understanding of the Buddhist religion and lots of questions. We arrived at the temple around 2pm and were given an hour to roam the grounds before we began our adventure.

The temple was beautiful! I've seen Korean palaces and temples before so I knew what to expect, but this one was so peaceful. It was so refreshing being in the mountains, away from all the city noise, and actually being able to hear the birds chirp. Not to mention that this was the first night in Korea that I was able to see all the stars in the sky. Ahh just so amazing!

Here is where Buddha's relics are held

After walking around and taking in my view for the next 24 hours, it was time to meet up with the group to get our room assignments and monastic wear. My friends and I were lucky enough to score our own private room/bathroom for our stay. It was so nice!

rockin' the monastic wear

the door to our rooms

the rooms

our private room

 

We then met up with the rest of the group and met our monk. I call him our monk because he was our guide for the weekend. He first taught us how to bow. It was so interesting to learn the different ways to bow. He also taught us that when you put your hands together, like you're praying, your right hand is you and your left hand is the everything else in the world. When you bring them together you are connecting yourself with the rest of the world. So cool!

Next, we had craft time and got to make lotus lanterns. I was so excited to make these! The lotus flower represents new beginnings. It rises from muddy beginnings into something beautiful and celebrated. A very good friend of mine gave me a lotus necklace before coming to Korea that I wear everyday. Thanks again Melanie!!

Following dinner, we had a Buddhist Ceremonial Service. We walked over to a huge bell and drum to find two monks awaiting our arrival. Each of us got the opportunity to ring the bell. One of the monks watched as the sun set, because the bell is to not be rung after sunset.

That night, we lit our lanterns and paraded around the temple as our monk chanted.

Soon after, it was time for tea time with our monk. I learned that he was 31 years old and was basically forced into being a monk by his family who were devout Buddhists. He said his favorite thing about being a monk is being able to share stories with people, like us, but his least favorite was studying. Go figure he would say that...I mean I AM in Korea after all.

Then, it was lights out at 9pm for me. It was optional, but I woke up at 3am for another prayer service, called Yebul. I made my way over to the main temple and paid my respects to the Buddha.

this was the temple in which
we had our morning service

After a little nappage, it was time for our morning meditation. I was hoping to have a little more meditation practice during my visit, but it was very interesting. I found it a little hard to focus with being one with the universe, but I think it was because I was too tired to concentrate.


Following our meditation, we had a monastic breakfast. This included sitting Indian style on the floor while eating and not talking. In Buddhism it's proper to not speak during meals and to not waste food. My friends so kindly volunteered to serve us. We had bibimbap, which was the same food that we had for dinner and lunch. 

Next, we traveled over to the other side of the temple for some community service, or Ulyeok. The men had to chop wood, while the ladies had to sweep. The meaning behind the sweeping was to sweep your worries away with the wind. 

After sweeping away my worries, it was time for our walking meditation in the forest. We didn't go far only because it was FREEZING and it started to snow, but our monk took us to the love tree. It's basically two trees connected in the middle. There we "meditated" for about a minute.

green tea leaves

the love tree

Next, it was time to make Buddhist beads. The making of a set of Buddist beads involves 108 beads and bows, with each representing a prayer/wish. Our monk told us we had the option to not bow 108 times, but then he reminded us "No Pain, No Gain." I picked the temple that houses the Buddha and statues of the 500 thieves. (great story if you get a chance to read about it) It was awe inspiring and I felt every single bow. My legs still hurt today! I will never forget the 108 sufferings that helped to cleanse my soul. Such a fulfilling experience! :)

Finally, it was time to pack our bags and head back to reality. I wish I would have been able to experience more meditation while there, but I'm so so sooo happy with the outcome of the trip. It was such an amazing experience to learn about such a fascinating religion. I was reminded constantly on the trip that for a healthy body, one must have a healthy mind. I feel that this gets lost in translation a lot. This trip has made me more interested in learning about Buddhism and the importance of taking care of ones self. 

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”