South Korea's Sudeoksa: Enlighten your mind

Sudeoksa offers just one of many Buddhist temple stays available in South Korea, but its out-of-city location and peaceful environs make it one of the most tranquil

By Gregory Curley 23 July, 2010

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Colorful, looming wooden statue inside Sudeoksa’s Four Heavenly Kings front gate. Custom dictates that all who enter should perform hapjang, the cupping of hands close together in prayer-like fashion.

Lanterns swaying above the front yard of Daeungjeon chanting hall. Attached to each lantern are the prayers of visitors, wishing good fortune onto loved ones. During Buddha’s birthday, the lanterns are lit up making the celebration a truly magical experience.

Beopgo -- evening and early morning dharma drum ceremony, and barugongyang, (ceremonial eating). Monks take turns beating the large instrument in rhythmic intervals. Especially enjoyed in the early morning hours under a blanket of stars before moving to the main chanting hall for morning prayers.

Stone Buddha statue on the path up Mt. Deoksungsan. The somewhat challenging course winds all the way to arguably the temple’s highlight, a lookout point from where you can grab stunning views of the grounds below.

Buddhist monk plays wooden fish-shaped gong. Fish are regarded as sacred entities and symbols of influence. Just as they can keep their eyes open twenty-four hours, monks too are expected to ceaselessly strive to achieve enlightenment without stopping until having done so.

Sudeoksa Museum as seen from the steps outside Daeungjeon main chanting hall. The temple grounds are surrounded by verdant countryside and rolling mountain ranges -- in contrast to the fractured existence of city congestion.

One of the few temples in Korea that is home to female monks. Sudeoksa is considered the headquarters of the Korean Seon tradition, renowned for producing some of the country’s most prominent Dharma teachers and scholars that continue to keep the Seon lineage very much alive in South Korea.

Head monk Chung-hyeon.

The colorful, peaceful location of Chungryundang Hall. Flush against the base of the mountain, it is here where meditative practices are carried out.

Female monk crossing the grounds near Sudeoksa museum.

Prayer bracelet beads. According to Buddhist tradition, monks believe that we experience 108 periods of distress throughout our lifetime. Therefore, in order to free ourselves of such burden, one must bow 108 times, with each bow signifying a release for each period of pent up anguish.

Built during the Baekje period, Sudeoksa is one of the country’s most sacred temples and steeped in historical relevance. Daeungjeon, Sudeoksa’s main chanting hall, was built in 1308 and is considered to be the oldest recorded relic of traditional wooden architecture.

Stone Buddha just outside the front gates, and steps away from Sudeoksa museum. It is the first relic from the Baekje period one sees on entering the grounds.

The walkway to the Four Heavenly Kings front gate that houses four large, colorful wooden statues.

Sacred stone Buddha perched on a rock just before Sudeoksa’s seven-story stone pagoda at the front entrance.

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Buddhism remains the dominant religion in South Korea. And with 87 temples throughout South Korea that offer unique temple stay programs for visitors there is no shortage of options to sample the country's religious culture. However, Sudeoksa, situated two hours outside of Seoul on the verdant slope of Mt Deoksungsan in Chungcheongnam-do province, feels worlds away and is one of the country’s more favored getaways.

Click the image above for more images and information on Sudeoksa

Buddhist philosophy dictates that a cluttered mind is an unhealthy mind. Many of us revolve endlessly around daily obligations, submitting to demanding schedules, so one such option for escape is a temple stay.

As city congestion and a hurried sense of belonging are not exactly conducive to a tranquil mind, retreating outside the city for the night is a good option and one sure to leave lasting impressions.

Temples have long been revered as cultural treasures in South Korea. To really explore the ancient, longstanding traditions of monks and nuns, also known as biguni, a night’s stay is an ideal opportunity to learn.

Getting there from Seoul

Take a train from Yongsan Station (subway Line 1) to Hongseong (2 hours). From there you can take a taxi (12,000 won) or bus (1 hour).

Fees: Adults (40,000 won)/ Children (20,000 won)

Additional information: For further inquiries, you may call (+82 41 337 6565) or visit the official temple stay website (eng.templestay.com). Organizers speak English.

Official website: www.sudeoksa.com

Writer/photographer Gregory Curley left his native Canada for South Korea seven years ago. He’s been making Seoul his home ever since. When he’s not busy trying to appear creative as a copywriter, he’s blogging away or contributing assignments to both CNNGo and SEOUL magazine.

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South Korea's Sudeoksa: Enlighten your mind

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