Temple Stay
Travel in fall is to take a break and refresh in mountains and fields. Forest is the best place. If you want to rest and meditate in mountains and forests, temple stay is the best way. You can enjoy the life in Buddhist temple, which is reverent and sound place.
Many large-scaled temples in Korea operate temple stay. It is divided in rest type and experiential type according to taste and age.
If you choose experiential type, you should have a Buddhist service in the early morning, and discipline your mind like sitting in Zen meditation. On the other hand, if you choose rest type, you can freely take a break in quiet and peaceful Buddhist temple. You can choose whether to participate in various programs or not. So, it would be good for those who feel uncomfortable to have a Buddhist service in the early morning or 108 Buddhist prostrations.
Gyeongju Golgulsa Temple
Gyeongju golgulsa temple, which is a head temple of Seonmudo, has been broadcast for many times and is a first temple that began experiential type of temple stay. In Gyeongju golgulsa temple, experiential lodging was started in 1992, as many foreigners visited there in order to learn Korean Buddhism and Seonmudo, the traditional martial arts.
Since it is a head temple of Seonmudo, performance time of Seonmudo is included in temple stay programs of Gyeongju golgulsa temple. Seonmudo University was established for people who come to regular practice. Some people visit from other countries.
In golgulsa temple, you can stay over one month as well as for one night two days. In old times, some people retired to hermitage in temple to study hard.
This is the entrance of golgulsa temple. After passing the entrance, you should park your car and go up.
This building is Mahajigwanwon, which is guarded by strong Dava king. There is a restaurant and accommodation in the building. Accommodations are separated by many buildings.
In order to see seated rock-carved Buddha who overlooks downside from the top of golgulsa temple, I will walk up the incline. You can see Sesimdang, one of the accommodations. Since it is far from the entrance of temple, it is more quiet and comfortable.
When I am out of breath, I can see rock cliff on the upside of stairs. Only that rock has distinctive figure.
There is seated rock-carved Buddha protected by roof not to be weathered. It seems hard to climb.
There are several Seokkuldang on the cliff. Originally, golgulsa temple was cave temple consisted of a number of caves. In Korea, golgulsa temple is the only temple consisted of many Seokkuldang. However, India, which is the native place of Gwangyu Buddhist monk, has a lot of cave temples.
Contrary to expectations, it is not hard to climb the top. Seated rock-carved Buddha overlooks the east side. Some people say he is heading to Underwater Royal Tomb of King Munmu in the east coast.
You can overlook Daejeokgwangjeon hall. Compared to other main temples, it is very small. And Seonmudo performance is hold in every morning at 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Let's go down to Daejeokgwangjeon hall.
As I arrived a little bit early, it is not crowded. I should spend time while looking around surroundings.
When you climb the hill passing by Daejeokgwangjeon hall, you can see Gorinto that enshrines Buddhist's small crystals. It is not a hexahedron but geometrical. Under the pogoda, one of the four Devas tramples down goblin. He looks painful.
White jindo dog takes a nap under the shade of a tree next to Gorinto. He seems to be an offspring of “Donga”, who was the mascot of Golguram.
-Hi, can I touch you?
-No.
In Gorinto, you can see both Daejeokgwangjeon hall and the cliff with Amitabha. It is the most important place of Golgulsa temple.
Seonmudo performance has been started. It looks a Buddhist dance applied the motion of martial arts. The Buddhist monk is a foreigner with blond hair.
He is Buddhist monk from France in order to practice Seonmudo. I expected fancy kick in the performance, but most motions are for disciplining one's mind like yoga. Slow motions continues, showing off flexibility and sense of balance of the body. This martial art is for maintaining sound mind and body like yoga, which exclude aggressive motions according to the teachings of Buddhism. Well, if you want to learn martial arts for fight, you should learn practical ones like taekwondo or judo.
This is a daily timetable of temple stay in Golgulsa temple. If you choose experiential style, you should follow the timetable. But if you choose rest style, you can decide whether to participate in the programs.
You can make a reservation in http://www.golgulsa.com
Contact information: +82-54-775-1689
Email : d-kumkang@hotmail.com
Andong-ri mountain 304, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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