🧘‍♀️ Temple Stay in Korea: Find Inner Peace with Monks

Need a break from busy city life? In Korea, you can literally escape to a mountain temple, sleep in silence, meditate with monks, and reconnect with yourself. This experience is called 템플스테이 (Temple Stay) — a unique way to explore Korean culture, Buddhism, and your inner calm. 🌙🪷

Let’s dive into what a temple stay is, what you can expect, and how to book one — even as a foreigner or Korean learner!

📘 Table of Contents

1. What Is a Temple Stay?
2. What Do You Do in a Temple Stay?
3. Useful Korean Phrases During Your Stay
4. How to Prepare (Mentally & Practically)
5. 💡 Did You Know?
6. Where to Do a Temple Stay?
7. Want to Learn More Korean?

1. What Is a Temple Stay?

A 템플스테이 is a cultural program where you live inside a working Buddhist temple for 1 or 2 days. It began in Korea during the 2002 World Cup as a way to introduce foreigners to Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism.

More than just a trip, it's a chance to experience monastic life — waking up early, eating mindfully, walking in nature, and being silent. Many temples are located in beautiful mountains across Korea, offering peace and simplicity. ⛰️

2. What Do You Do in a Temple Stay?

Most temple stays follow a schedule like this:

🕓 Daily Schedule:
- 4:30 AM: Wake-up bell 🔔
- 5:00 AM: 새벽 예불 (early morning chanting)
- 6:30 AM: 발우공양 (monastic meal with bowls)
- 8:00 AM: 다도 (Korean tea ceremony)
- 10:00 AM: 참선 (seon meditation)
- 2:00 PM: 108 prostrations + walking meditation
- 5:30 PM: Dinner and temple chores

3. Useful Korean Phrases During Your Stay

스님, 감사합니다.
Seunim, gamsahamnida.
Thank you, monk.

참선이 처음이에요.
Chamseoni cheoeum-ieyo.
It’s my first time meditating.

발우공양은 어떻게 해요?
Barugong-yangeun eotteoke haeyo?
How do I eat the monastic meal?

조용히 하겠습니다.
Joyonghi hagetseumnida.
I will stay quiet.

4. How to Prepare (Mentally & Practically)

🧥 Clothing: Simple, modest, comfortable — no bright colors or sleeveless tops.
📴 Phones: Try to disconnect — some temples ban electronics during the stay.
🧘 Mental attitude: Be open, be silent, observe without judgment.
🫖 Don’t rush: This is not a tour — it’s a personal experience of slowing down.

5. 💡 Did You Know?

Korean temples don’t just offer temple stays for foreigners. Many Koreans — especially office workers, students, and even celebrities — go on weekend retreats to escape burnout.

Also, the Korean word for mindfulness is 마음챙김 (ma-eum chaeng-gim), which literally means “taking care of the heart.” During a temple stay, you may hear monks ask you, “지금 내 마음은 어디에 있나요?” → “Where is your heart now?”

6. Where to Do a Temple Stay?

Here are some of the most popular temple stay locations in Korea — from urban to mountain escapes.

1. Jogyesa Temple (조계사) – Seoul
- 📍 Address: 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- 🛏️ Type: Urban temple stay (1 day, no sleep)
- 💰 Cost: Approx. 20,000–30,000 KRW
- 🌐 Book here

2. Haeinsa Temple (해인사) – Gyeongnam
- 📍 Address: 122 Haeinsa-gil, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- 🏔️ UNESCO Heritage Site, famous for Tripitaka Koreana
- 💰 Cost: Around 70,000–90,000 KRW (1 night, meals + program included)

3. Beomeosa Temple (범어사) – Busan
- 📍 Address: 250 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
- 🌿 Mountain temple with meditation and tea ceremony
- 💰 Cost: 50,000–80,000 KRW (1 or 2-day program)

4. Golgulsa Temple (골굴사) – Gyeongju
- 📍 Address: 101-5 Girim-ro, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- 🥋 Unique for Sunmudo (Korean Buddhist martial arts)
- 💰 Cost: 70,000–100,000 KRW with Sunmudo experience

5. Baekyangsa Temple (백양사) – Jeolla Province
- 📍 Address: 941 Baekyangsa-ro, Bukha-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
- 🍂 Known for autumn foliage and temple cuisine
- 💰 Cost: Around 60,000–80,000 KRW

👉 Book all programs in English: https://eng.templestay.com

7. 🎓 Want to Learn More Korean?

Want to talk about your temple stay experience in Korean? Or learn words related to peace, meditation, and nature?

👉 Book a class with me on italki We’ll practice together with real conversation and cultural insight — from chants to chat! 🧘‍♂️🗣️