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What if, in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities, you could step into a pocket of calm, and leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more at peace? Between the glossy high-rise apartments and office buildings of Omokgyo, the International Seon Center stands tall and calm, an 8-storey Buddhist temple and one of Seoul’s many Templestay locations. 

Templestay is a cultural program that invites visitors to experience the 1,700-year-old traditions of Korean Buddhism. Open to all, it doesn’t even require a trip outside the city. While many temples offer a two-day, one-night retreat, the International Seon Center offers a more accessible half-day ‘Luminous Lotus’ meditation program. 

Designed as a chance to pause and step away from your daily routine, the program caught my interest. As a self-employed writer living in the thick of the city, the idea of giving my mind a genuine rest felt rare and intriguing.

Just a short walk from Omokgyo Station (Line 5, Exit 8), the International Seon Center holds a stillness that can be felt from across the street. Upon arrival, I’m greeted at the fifth floor, asked to remove my shoes, and given a vest to wear over my clothes. I join seven other visitors in a softly-lit wooden room for orientation. We watch a short video sitting on cushions on the floor, and the guide gives us a brief overview of temple etiquette. He emphasizes that this Templestay program is not just a way to sightsee Korean Buddhism, but a chance to reflect on our busy lives. With orientation complete, it’s time to meet the practicing monk who will lead our meditation session.

Guided Meditation

We rearrange the cushions in a large circle on the floor and take a seat. The monk first teaches us the correct posture, then leads us in our first meditation—a 3-minute breathing exercise based on counting up to 9. The numbers have no meaning, we’re told, but work to keep us from simply spacing out. I used to think meditation was the absence of thought, a completely clear mind. The monk emphasizes, however, that it’s natural for thoughts to come up, but we must try not to follow them. 

After the first meditation, we’re each invited to share our thoughts and any difficulties we encountered. The monk listens carefully to each response and provides thoughtful advice to all of us individually. I notice I’m counting to 9 while thinking about other things, a tell-tale sign of how accustomed I am to multitasking. The advice I receive is to practise this meditation exercise daily and give my brain a well-needed rest!

The Offering

It’s time for lunch, graciously called the ‘offering’ because it symbolizes gratitude and generosity. We are led to the second-floor canteen where we serve ourselves from a simple but plentiful buffet of soup, rice, and vegetable side dishes. We’re reminded to only take what we can finish. On the wall, there is a small paragraph translated into 4 languages, a reminder to receive the food humbly and graciously.

I wonder if we may have some time to talk freely with the monk over lunch, but the monks sit separately on designated tables. While noble silence is encouraged throughout the temple, people on other tables hold conversations as they eat. Our group of visitors remains silent, perhaps unsure of what’s okay but determined to stay respectful.

fter eating, everyone must wash their own plates and return them. This small act is a mark of respect, but also another moment to pause. I’m used to opening my laptop almost immediately after I’m done eating, or on some days, even working as I eat. It’s nice to take a moment to appreciate our food and even feel helpful in a small way.

Lunchtime is over, allowing me some free time before the second half of the program. I take this opportunity to explore the temple. The International Seon Center is a city temple, neighboring a middle school, apartments, and offices. From the terrace on the second floor, I can hear the middle school students in a fierce game of basketball across the street. I can see office workers finishing their lunch breaks and rushing back to their desks with coffee in hand. And yet, the rush of daily life in Seoul feels distant, and there’s an overwhelming sense of calm on the terrace. Wind chimes dangle in the breeze, and candle flames dance gently behind a glass frame. 

Guided Prostrations

The second floor of the International Seon Center is the most impressive. Here, you can see the Great Dharma Hall, the heart of the temple. But before we even reach the Hall, something else catches my eye. The ceiling in the hallway is adorned with intricate paintings of Korean tigers and Buddhist motifs. At the end of the corridor, a small door marks the entrance to the Great Dharma Hall. Gold light spills out from the door.

As we move closer, I see the three golden figures at the far end of the Hall: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. On the walls, colorful paintings tell the story of the Buddha. We enter through the side door and place cushions in front of the statues, avoiding the middle as we’re told it’s disrespectful to sit directly in front of the Buddha. This time, the cushions aren’t for meditation, but for prostrations. Behind us, a woman enters the temple and silently begins her own practice. It’s a nice reminder that this is an actual place of worship, not just a museum for visitors like us.

The monk guides us through three prostrations, each one with a specific purpose and recipient. Every movement has a set form, and at first it feels awkward to kneel, press the forehead to the floor, and rise again without using hands for balance. Yet the rhythm soon becomes a welcome pause, a chance to notice both body and breath. Rather than a brief experiment with Buddhism, the prostrations feel like a gesture of respect, a way of returning the kindness shown by the monk who has been guiding us all day.

Lanterns, Beads, and Tea Time

With that quiet focus, we return to the fifth floor to learn about lotus lanterns. A short video introduces the lotus lantern festival, and we’re given a chance to make our own lanterns to take home. Making the lantern feels peaceful and steadying—rarely do we get the chance to work with such care and patience in daily life, and it feels good to give attention to making something delicate and beautiful. We also make prayer beads, like the ones I’d noticed on the floor of the Great Dharma Hall. We’re invited to think of a wish and hold it in our mind as we thread the beads.

While we finish, the monk prepares tea. Her movements are measured and calm as she brews, such a difference from my constant rush around the city. We end the day by sharing a pot of green tea and another of lotus leaf tea, closing with a gentle Q&A that leaves the room hushed and reflective.

My experience at the International Seon Center was informative, but above all, it reminded me of the simple power of pausing. Taking just one minute to breathe and be quiet can make all the difference amid the constant rush of city life. For anyone looking to step outside of Seoul’s fast pace for a moment, a Templestay offers the chance to connect with a calmer rhythm. 

Reservations can be made through the Templestay website.

International Seon Center 

 167 Mokdongdong-ro, Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon District, Seoul 
Subway Line 5, Omokgyo Station, Exit 8, 715m