2010.01.14(목) | CNnews ( chungnamdo@korea.kr)
▲ The participants in the temple stay are committed to meditation. There are many non-Koreans that are interested in Korea's Buddhist culture that emphasizes medi-tation and cultivation, and in joining the temple stay to look for the meaning of life. |
Zen-Buddhist Meditation, the Shortcut to Awakening
The temple stay program has long hours of “Zen-Buddhist meditation,” which is regarded as the highest form of cultivation in Buddhism and known as the best shortcut to awakening. The very first event of the program is “I Am a Happy Person” for Zen-Buddhist meditation. The priest explains that it’s time to look at oneself positively and find one’s true ego and initiates Zen-Buddhist meditation. As time passes by, the guests start to feel changes to both body and mind little by little. When they realize how much they have and how happy they can be, they are amazed at themselves.
Bowing Lowers Me.
▲ It's three in the morning. With the drumbeats to wake up all creatures, another day starts at the Buddhist temple in the mountain.
The temple deep in the mountain starts its day at the sound of the drum at three in the morning. The guests wake from a short sleep, feel their heavy bodies, and find themselves in a rather unhappy mood. However, they soon regain their stability at the drum beats that have been sounding for long.
After the earning morning service, the time for 108 bows has come. Bowing is an act of clearing one’s mind and lowering oneself to a humble attitude. As they continue to bow, their clothes are soaked in sweat and their legs feel heavy. But the end of the 108 bows seems ahead.
Now another day of worldly life will resume when they go out into the world again. But they will find out that the mountains and trees feel different once they climb down the mountain. And they will get to appreciate another day of routine life, which they used to have before the temple stay.
Attracting Foreign Tourists with the Temple Stay
▲ A group of Japanese tourists experienced the culture of Magok Buddhist Temple and enjoyed the concert of Kim Min-jong, a Korean singer famous in Japan. |