Temple Stay for Inner Detox

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Temple Stay for Inner Detox

Published Date : Apr 29, 2021 / Edited Date : Jun 15, 2021

View of Jogyesa Temple main entrance with Chinese character written on a sign hang at the roof. Big tree in front of the temple decorated with colorful lantern

Temple Stay for Inner Detox

이너 디톡스를 위한 템플 스테이

Wellness travel, which helps visitors find rejuvenation and balance in the body and soul, has grown popular among both middle aged and younger generations, and has been increasingly popular for those seeking self-care. Travel patterns of the current era have shifted to taking private small-scale trips for discovering the self and spending time to care for the happiness of the body and mind. This is one reason that the traditional experience of temple stays and temple food is so popular in Seoul where more than 70% of tourists visit.

Temple stay, which was started as a lodging alternative during the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup, has been selected by visitors of Korea as a place for healing and self-cafe for the past 20 years. An essential part of temple stay is the temple food experience. Korean temple food, which became a part of the regular curriculum at Le Cordon Bleu in France last year, is a traditional Korean-style dish that is entirely plant-based with no animal-based ingredients. Participants experience a time of inner detox by filling the body and mind with peace without leaving the city, finding oneself through meditation, and eating vegetable-based, seasonal meals that rejuvenate the body.

“Participants experience a time of inner detox by filling the body and mind with peace without leaving the city, finding oneself through meditation, and eating vegetable-based, seasonal meals that rejuvenate the body.”

Left: A monk holding bowl of tea. Right: A monk is preparing a tea in teapot with the cup served ready on a tray

Finding happiness through mindfulness

Jogyesa Temple

Jogyesa Temple, located in Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, is the central temple of Korean Buddhism and is in close proximity to Seoul’s main tourist destinations. It is visited by both Korean nationals and foreign tourists, regardless of their religion. The traditional architecture and Buddhist artwork are some of the main reasons for visiting the temple, but Jogyesa Temple is also a quiet shelter for visitors wanting a time of rest, away from the fatigue of everyday life.

A day at Jogyesa Temple can be considered as a time of finding happiness through mindfulness. The tea ceremony, learned through the demonstrations of monks, help calm the body and mind, and the teatime that follows relaxes the mind once more. The lotus flower lamp and the wish mobile programs keep the hands busy while relaxing the mind, and the 108 bows give a time of disciplining oneself. The ringing of the temple bell before the rites removes the troubles and complications of the mind and from the city life, and the twilight and early morning rites invite participants to a time of solemn and quiet meditation.

“A day at Jogyesa Temple can be considered as a time of finding happiness through mindfulness.”

Additionally, visitors should not miss out on the Nighttime Temple Stay Concert held five times a year in April, May, July, September, and October. The temple yard is adorned with lotus lanterns in April and May, full of 500 lotus flower jars in July, and chrysanthemum topiaries in October. Buddhist Monk Hyewon says, “I hope you remember Jogyesa Temple when you wish to find rest for your mind amid the weariness of everyday life,” and welcomes visitors to a time of healing.

Left: A monk bow a greet in front of Jogyesa Temple. Right: A man placing his pray wishes at the lantern wishes outside the temple.

Address: 55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2-768-8600
Website: www.jogyesa.kr/user/english

“I believe that the nature of temple food is not in fancy flavors or plating, but in food that focuses on the well-being of people and nature.”

Left: Temple foods served on a plate on the tray. Right: Hot bowl broth served along with side dishes

Rice-based diet, beneficial to both people and nature

Balwoo Gongyang

Balwoo Gongyang, operated by the Korean Buddhist Cultural Service of the Jogye Order of Buddhism and located across from Jogyesa Temple, was introduced in a famous foreign food guide and is frequented by customers who wish to experience premium plant-based meals. The food cooked with traditional sauces made at the temple with seasonal ingredients and minimal spices entertain the eyes, mouth, and mind with beautiful plating that encompass the four seasons while staying true to the essence of Korean temple food.

A course meal at Balwoo Gongyang begins with the act of suljeoksim, which is a traditional dining etiquette that stimulates the appetite by moistening the inside of the mouth with an appetizer, followed by porridge, a seasonal dish, traditional temple food, and ends with lpgasim, the dessert. The Seongso course is a dish of noodles, dumplings, and pancakes that make monks smile as they are special delicacies enjoyed by monks. Pyogobeoseot-naengmyeon, which supplements the cold temperature of the cold buckwheat noodles with nutrients from golden oak mushroom, along with the chewy beoseot-gangjeong, or glazed mushroom bites, are considered the restaurant’s signature dishes.

Chef Kim Ji-young who studied under Monk Seonjae, the first temple food master, finds it rewarding to serve relaxing food to the busy, modern visitors with natural ingredients and recipes that incorporate the act of emptying. “I believe that the nature of temple food is not in fancy flavors or plating, but in food that focuses on the well-being of people and nature.” Chef Kim’s words may possibly be another definition of the word “premium.”

Left: Entrance of Jogyesan showing the table setting. Right: Temple food served on a bowl, with side dishes on a plate

Address: 56, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2-733-2081
Hours: 11:30 - 15:00, 18:00 – 21:30 (Closed Sundays)
Website: eng.balwoo.or.kr

“Food is nature that incorporates the mind and is another expression of culture and benevolence.”

Two monks teaching three foriegner tourists to do a hand gestures

Food is nature encompassing the mind

Jingwansa Temple

Jingwansa Temple, which sits at the entrance of Bukhansan Mountain, is a temple located near the heart of the city with a panoramic view of the mountain and with beautiful sounds of flowing water. The temple is also located a ten-minute walk away from Eunpyeong Hanok Village, the third hanok village in Seoul after Bukchon and Seochon, providing a simple walk and visit to the hanok. The temple stay at Jingwansa Temple offers experiences such as teatime with a monk, a bell-ringing experience, morning rites, and meditation, in addition to a day of rest in tranquil nature.

Jingwansa Temple is also famous for its temple food. The history of the temple food goes back to the National Rites for the Beings of Water and Land (Gukaeng Suryukjae) that were held in the royal palace during the Joseon dynasty. Temple food at Jingwansa Temple was naturally developed while carrying out such large-scale events at the royal palace. Because Jingwansa Temple was once a joposa—the temple responsible for making tofu for the royal palace—the temple continues to remain highly renowned for its tofu dumplings, steamed dishes, hot pots, pickles, and glazed tofu bites. In 2014, Sam Kass, who was the assistant chef of the White House at the time, tasted the temple food here and stated, “I was told by President Obama to learn the recipe for bulgogi, but instead, I will return and cook noodles in cold soybean broth that I learned to make at Jingwansa Temple.” With his recommendation, First Lady Jill Biden also visited Jingwansa Temple. Jingwansa Temple was also received a lot of attention as it was a part of the Four Seasons Hotel’s private jet tour in Korea in 2017.

The secret recipe of Jingwansa Temple’s Monk, Gyeho, the second temple food master, is simple—“the best seasoning is the heart.” “Food is nature that incorporates the mind and is another expression of culture and benevolence.” Monk Gyeho’s words leave a deep impression on our hearts.

Few temple visitors doing healing session in front of Jingwansa Temple with a monk

Address: 73, Jingwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2-359-8410
Website: www.jinkwansa.org

Tags

#Jinkwansa #Jogyesa #TempleStay #Relaxing #Detox #BalwooGongyang #Temple #Healing

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