KOREA FOUNDATION

During the last weekend of October, as autumn approached its climax, the Korean Culture Class team headed to Geumseonsa Temple at Mt. Bukhansan for an overnight Temple Stay experience.
   The autumnal beauty of the temple made it difficult to believe how close we were to Seoul, and simply being immersed within the surrounding landscape brought us a sense of serenity. Looking out at the lights and skylines of Seoul from Mt. Bukhansan was a truly unique experience. Leaving behind the worries of our daily grind, we sought inner peace by learning Buddhist rituals, performing 108 bows, meditating, and crafting prayer beads, along with nourishing our bodies with simple and wholesome meals. Conversations with the monks and morning walks amid the splendor of Mt. Bukhansan’s foliage provided us with a brief but well-needed respite.
   The Korean Culture Class team embarked on this journey with people from various religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, for the purpose of promoting cultural and religious acceptance through the development of personal friendships. If you’re in need of inner peace, join us for next year’s Temple Stay event, a journey to discover your true self.

KFVN Reporter Oh Joo-young