Seoul, South Korea and NEW YORK, August 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Templestay has begun allowing international visitors to experience Korea’s traditional culture. More than 6 million people have participated in the program over the past 20 years, of which more than 650,000 were non-Koreans. It should be noted that the nationalities of international participants totaled 205, more than those of UN member states. It shows how much foreigners are interested in Templestay.
Tongdosa Temple
Monk Jeong Kwan and Baekyangsa
What makes all these people from many different countries come to join the program? A 2021 survey by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism indicated that the number one motivation for participation was “interest in Korean traditional culture”. By enjoying Templestay, visitors can experience the daily routine of a monk in a mountain temple where the 1,700 years of Korean Buddhism history and culture are still alive. It’s a great way to feel Korean Buddhism and traditional culture.
If visitors want a more memorable experience, Templestay at a “Sansa”, or mountain Buddhist monastery, is recommended. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its value in preserving the history and culture of Korean Buddhism. Of the seven temples on the list, visitors can stay at Tongdosa, Beopjusa, Magoksa, or Daeheungsa.
In addition, visitors can spend a day at a temple with various cultural heritages, including Haeinsa, the home of the Tripitaka Koreana at Janggyeong Panjeon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Bulguksa showing the essence of Korean Buddhist architecture and Bongseonsa guarding Gwangneung Forest registered as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Detailed information and booking can be found on the English Templestay website (eng.templestay.com).
Meanwhile, the Korean Buddhism Cultural Corps will hold a promotion event for Templestay and Temple food at New Yorkthe United States, of August 27 to 28 at the Lincoln Center Atrium so visitors can try out the program before visiting Korea. There they can get information and consultations about Templestay. The temple food demonstration and tasting event by monk Jeong Kwan, who caught the world’s attention for Netflix’s “Chef’s Table,” will also take place on both days. If you live in New Yorkvisiting this event would be a great way to learn more about Templestay.
Event booking landing page: https://kbcw.us/.
SOURCE Korean Buddhism Cultural Body
