It Was Truly a Time of Purification - 1 Night 2 Days at Geumsunsa Templestay 💚

Visited Geumsunsa to Escape Work Stress

Lately, work has been so busy that my stress levels were through the roof. A friend suggested, 'You really need to try a templestay.' At first, I hesitated because sleeping at a temple seemed a bit awkward, but after some research, I found that Geumsunsa in Bukhansan is close to Seoul and has great reviews. I happened to have a vacation at the end of May, so I gathered the courage to apply!

From Jongno, you can take the green bus number 7212 and arrive at the Ibukodocheong stop in about 30 minutes. From there, it's about a 15-minute walk to Geumsunsa. The signs were well-marked, so there was no worry about getting lost.

First Templestay, the Program Was More Enriching Than Expected

I applied for the relaxation type, and the program was quite enriching! I checked in at 3:30 PM and started with a temple tour. A monk explained the history of Geumsunsa and various buildings, and as I listened, I felt my mind becoming calm.

In the evening, I participated in the beopgo and bell-ringing experiences. Watching the monk play the beopgo was truly impressive. The sound resonated through the mountains, and for some reason, it made me feel like crying ㅠㅠ

The singing bowl meditation was truly amazing! The voice of the bosalnim was so gentle that it was healing in itself, and listening to the sound of the singing bowl made me feel like I was in another world. There was even someone snoring next to me, which shows how comfortable it was, right? ㅋㅋ

The Room View Was Absolutely Stunning

I was assigned to a room called Inyokbang, and the view from the window was absolutely breathtaking. You could see Bukhansan at a glance, and the sound of birds made me wonder if I was really in Seoul. The room had a mattress and pillow prepared, and you receive temple clothes, a mat cover, and a pillow cover to set up yourself.

It was cleaner and cozier than I expected. Wearing the temple clothes seemed to change my mindset too ㅎㅎ Sitting on the terrace and reading a book was truly a healing time.

The Early Morning Chanting Was a Truly Special Experience

On the second day, I participated in the early morning chanting at 5 AM in Mokjeonggul. At first, I thought it would be cold and scary, but once I got there, it was truly mystical. The sound of the monk playing the moktak and chanting sutras inside the natural cave was really powerful.

But honestly, it was too cold, so I couldn't stay for the full hour ㅠㅠ I was foolish to go in short sleeves. Next time, I definitely want to dress warmly and participate until the end!

The Temple Food Was Surprisingly Delicious

I had some prejudices about temple food, but it was really delicious! Both dinner and breakfast were neat and healthy. Side dishes like stir-fried seaweed stems, pickled perilla leaves, and sweet potato stems were real rice thieves. I was amazed that food could be this tasty without using garlic or onions.

During the free time in the evening, I also wrote a prayer. I wrote down each family member's name and made a wish, and it really calmed my mind. It felt more meaningful because they said they would burn it at Geumsunsa.

It Was a Truly Healing 1 Night 2 Days

I was worried that my first templestay would feel awkward, but I was really satisfied. The monks were kind, and the bosalnims treated me so warmly that I felt at ease. Above all, my mind felt truly cleansed. It was usually cluttered with all sorts of thoughts, but here, it just emptied out.

As I was leaving, the bosalnims said, 'Come again~' and I really wanted to go back ㅠㅠ Next time, I want to try the experiential type!