The sun shining on the main hall at Magoksa Temple.
Hello Again Everyone!!
Introduction to the Temple:
Magoksa Temple is situated on the beautiful Mt. Taehwasan in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do. Magoksa Temple was first established in 640 A.D. by the famed monk, Jajang-yulsa. Having fallen into a bit of disrepair, the temple was reconstructed in 1172 by Bojo-guksa. The name of the temple has a bit of an interesting story behind it. After a believer looked at the temple and said it looked like a flax stack in a flax field while Bocheol, from the Silla Dynasty, was preaching. So Magoksa Temple, in English, means “Flax Valley Temple.” Uniquely, and unlike almost all other temples on the Korean peninsula, Magoksa Temple was spared any damage during the destructive Imjin War (1592-98). In fact, during the entire Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the temple suffered no wartime damage.
There are two Temple Stay programs that Magoksa Temple offers a visitor. The first is called the Magoksa Experiential Templestay. This program focuses on experiencing various activities that a monk would participate in like prayer and meditation. The other program, the Recharging Templestay, focuses on a more restive stay with less activities and more free time for participants. The schedule is a little more open than the latter program.
For more information on Magoksa Temple.
The beautiful stream that flows next to Magoksa Temple.
Directions:
From the Gongju Intercity Bus Terminal, you can get local Bus #770 that will take you directly to Magoksa Temple. The ride lasts about 40 minutes. The first bus leaves at 6:10 in the morning, and the last bus departs at 20:30. In total, the bus leaves 15 times a day.
General Schedule:
Magoksa Temple runs two different programs for their Temple Stay program.
A: Magoksa Experiential Templestay: This program is a scheduled program that runs one night and two days.
Day 1:
4:00-14:30: Arrival and registration in the Yeonhwa-dang
14:30-15:00: Orientation in the Yeonhwa-dang
15:00-16:00: A temple tour
16:00-17:00: Making 108 beads in the Yeonhwa-dang
17:30-18:30: Supper
18:30-19:00: Ringing the Dharma bell at the bell pavilion; and in the evening Yebul (Chanting) in the Dharma Hall
18:30-20:00: Tea with a monk in the tea room
22:00: Bed-time
Day 2
03:00-03:30: Wake up
03:30-04:00: Dawn Yebul (Chanting) in th Dharma Hall
04:00-05:00: Individual practice or rest
05:00-06:00: Seon meditation in the Yeonhwa-dang
06:00-08:00: Breakfast (a traditional temple meal) in the Yeonhwa-dang
08:00-09:00: Team work
09:00-10:30: A guided walking meditation
10:30-11:00: Feedback and group photo in the Yeonhwa-dang
11:00-11:30: Cleaning-up and packing
11:30: Closing
(Courtesy of the Korean Temple Stay website).
B: Recharging Templestay: This program is a scheduled program that runs one night and two days.
Day 1:
15:00-17:00: Registration and a temple tour
18:00-18:30: Dinner
19:00-19:30: Evening Buddhist chanting ceremony
19:30: Free time and sleeping.
Day 2:
03:00: Morning Buddhist chanting ceremony
06:00-07:00: Breakfast
07:00-12:00: A free schedule
12:00~12:30: Lunch and check out
(Courtesy of the Korean Temple Stay website).
Magoksa Temple Information:
Address : 567, Unam-ri, Sagok-myeon Gongju-si Chungcheongnam-do
Tel : +82-41-841-6221 / Fax :
homepage : http://eng.magoksa.org
E-mail : magoksa@templestay.com
Fees:
Adults: 70,000 won; Teens: 60,000 won; Under 13: 40,000 won (Magoksa Experiential Templestay)
Adults: 50,000 won; Teens: 40,000 won (Recharging Templestay)
Link:
Reservations for the Magoksa Experiential Templestay at Magoksa Temple.
Reservations for the Recharging Templestay at Magoksa Temple.
The Sanshin-gak on Mt. Taehwasan.
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