NEWS

Korea Opens Up UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Monasteries for Temple Stays

By Craig Lewis | | Buddhistdoor Global

The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism is promoting temple stay opportunities at seven mountain monasteries or sansa (산사) that were recently included in the country’s 13th UNESCO World Heritage site, “Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea.”* These traditional monasteries, nestled in tranquil mountain landscapes, have survived and been sustained as living places of spiritual practice for more than 1,000 years following the introduction and propagation of Buddhism across the Korean peninsula. Temple stay programs offer an opportunity for visitors to glimpse the renunciate life of Buddhist monks and to become acquainted with Korea’s Buddhist history, culture, and traditions firsthand. By staying overnight at a monastery and participating in daily temple life for short periods, visitors can experience such activities as the early morning yebul (예불) ceremony, practicing 108 prostrations or bae (108 배), Seon (Zen) meditation or chamseon (참선), and making rosaries of Buddhist prayer beads. Visiting guests also partake of the same vegetarian meals consumed by the resident monks.

In June last year, seven ancient Buddhist mountain temples, dated to the seventh to ninth centuries, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites by unanimous decision at the annual World Heritage Committee meeting. The seven Buddhist monasteries—Beopju-sa (법주사) in Boeun, North Chungcheong Province; Bongjeong-sa (봉정사) in Andong, North Gyeongsang; Buseok-sa (부석사) in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang; Daeheung-sa (대흥사0) in Haenam, South Jeolla; Magok-sa (마곡사) in Gongju, South Chungcheong; Seonam-sa (선암사) in Suncheon, South Jeolla; and Tongdo-sa (통도사) in South Gyeongsang—were all founded during the Three Kingdoms period (삼국시대; 57 BCE–668 CE), which comprised Baekje (백제), Silla (신라), and Goguryeo ([고구려], later known as Goryeo [고려]), or the Unified Silla (통일신라; 668–935). Among the monasteries, Beopju-sa, a major Jogye Order temple, was initially constructed in 553 by the Silla monk Uisin and has been historically associated with Maitreya Buddha. Buseok-sa, also known as “The Temple of the Floating Stone,” was founded by the scholar-monk Uisang in 676. Daeheung-sa, a major temple affiliated with the Jogye Order, is dated to the fourth to ninth centuries. Although no records of its founding are extant, some researchers believe it was established by the monk Adohwasang in 514. Tongdo-sa, another Jogye Order temple, is recognized as one of the Three Jewels—the three principal Buddhist temples in South Korea—and was established by the monk Jajang in 646.



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