Thursday, July 29, 2010

Korean Templestay


Korean Air and sister company Hanjin Travel are for the first time offering visitors the chance to experience a traditional Korean “Templestay.” The 24-hour overnight visit and two- to three-hour visit to the five most renowned Korean temples allows participants the opportunity to relax, reflect and revitalize themselves in peaceful temple surroundings. Over the course of 24 hours, visitors can experience and understand inner temple life and discover the 4ay-to-day activities of a Korean Buddhist monk. They will take part in a “Dado” -- an ancient ritual tea ceremony that has taken place for thousands of years -- as well as a “Chameson” Zen meditation session.

Guests also will be able to view all aspects of the temple life including the ceremonial chanting service “Yebul,” meditation and tea sessions, and a formal Buddhist monastic meal, “Baru Gongyang,” a silent communal dining experience where not a single grain of rice is wasted. Korean tourists are familiar with Templestays, but these have only recently been made available to groups from around the world. Hanjin Travel will for the first time be taking international visitors into the temples in close cooperation with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Cultural Corps of Korea Buddhism.

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