Templestay at Geumsunsa: We all needed that

There are those moments when nothing is really wrong but you feel weary, let down and ready to cry. Or sometimes you may just want to isolate yourself from the bustling life in the city and be in silence for a day or two.

Templestay, where participants stay for a night or two at a Buddhist temple and follow the lives of the Buddhist monks, might be one destination for those in such a mood.

Geumsunsa, in Gugi-dong at the foot of Mt. Bukhan in northern Seoul, is a shelter for citizens to lay down their broken, tired hearts without having to take a long trip to the city’s outskirts or suburban areas. It also boasts the best of nature in the capital.

In the spring, flowers and trees bud with new life. Summer is full of life with water from the small falls providing the perfect meditation spot, and the foliage and cool air of autumn encourage people to hike around the scenic mountain. In the winter, snow covers everything, creating a totally different view ― it is magical, said one templegoer.

On the road to the temple from the bottom of the mountain are shamanic structures, made of little stones piles, wishing for sons, making people contemplate other’s problems. A huge rock beside the main gate of the temple makes a perfect place for morning stretching and prayers as well as meditation. 

The temple is quiet ― although its main building, Daewungjeon, is under renovation, there is little to bother your ears. A lodge for visitors is cozy. Don’t worry about the piercing cold: the floors of the rooms are heated well enough to make you forget about the chills.

The temple provides three kinds of programs. One allows people to live the full life of monks, from waking up at 4 a.m. to constant meditation and prayers, and so on. The second is more appropriate for bohemians, sharing the morning awakening and meals but taking free time in between. The third allows a few-hours stay during the day, taking strolls and conversing with the monks over a cup of tea.

Geumsunsa is also among 16 temples that provide programs for foreigners. And on weekends the temple usually meets its full capacity of 30 guests.

While most of the Korean visitors come to seek rest, the majority of foreign visitors come to experience Buddhism, which they sometimes find elusive. From waking early in the morning to keeping up with the tight meditation schedule, it is all part of their learning process for Buddhism, according to a spokeswoman for the Templestay program at Geumsunsa.

But one thing both demographics have in common is their interest in conversation with the monks, which usually turns into a counseling session. 

“It is obvious that people with problems would look to a Templestay but sometimes I am very surprised that so many people are hurt and suffer from various stresses,” said Hye Yeon seunim (monk). “Many of them don’t look depressed at all on the outside. But first they request for a simple tea time and end up in tears. They realize that they have been under extreme stress leading to fear. As we have become affluent in materials, which is obviously a good thing, we are losing our spirit on the other hand,” she said.

Hye Yeon suggested that we all stop what we are doing for a moment and take a deep breath to look into ourselves.

“Do you like what you are doing? Are you satisfied? If you are not, why is that?” she asked.

“Everything comes from here,” she said, pointing at the center of her chest. “When you did not have a house, all you needed was a house. But once you have a house, you are looking for something else. You are also striving to keep what you have. The constant pain comes from that,” she said.

“Admit that you are not perfect. Admit that you lack something important, but then tell yourself that you are complete. Don’t base your happiness on what you don’t have. Don’t sacrifice yourself for someone else. Just focus on you. When you are happy, then you will realize all you needed was a changed you,” she added.

Yes, all of this sounds like another good proverb. But maybe the healing wasn’t about listening to what the monk said. We all knew the answer. It was just a matter of admitting our problems.

After the conversation, taking a stroll along the temple will help organize the mind. And while walking down the mountain once again, visitors may crave yet another visit to the temple. It was a serene period of change for all of us, something that we just needed.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)