Hwagyesa Templestay

Wow! What a weekend I just had at the Hwagyesa International Zen Center just north of Seoul! I was curious about a program called “Templestay” which is designed to help people understand Korean Zen Buddhism. Although I could not get any faculty or students to join me (no one seemed interested in the 3:00 a.m. wake-up call for meditation), I had a very interesting weekend and met people from around the world. I arrived at Hwagyesa on Saturday morning at 10:00 and received my uniform. I was shown to my room which I shared with young women from Kazistan and China. Participants from these countries and Germany, New Zealand, and the US got to take part in all activities with the monks who gave us instruction on Buddhism and its ceremonies. Activities we got to participate in included Jwaseon (sitting meditation – and yes we were up at 3:00 a.m. this morning to do that!), Yebul (chanting), Dahdoh (tea ceremony), traditional Buddhism bowing and eating meals with the monks. I am totally worn out from all of the activities but I’m glad I got to experience this while in Korea!