An unexpected Buddhist shrine in the heart of Seoul, surrounded by a shopping mall and other structures. There is a whole new world beyond the two elephants and the Jinyeomun gate. There’s a gong ringing, a pond with a happy Buddha and a few bonzes. Above all, a canopy of vibrant lanterns, adorned with delicate cardboard labels, emit a soothing sound akin to that of the wind in the reeds. The temple offers a Temple Stay where you can spend a few hours or days among the monks. A relatively short visit, I don’t feel I have seen everything. To be repeated, why not with a Temple Stay.
“As it was located in Seoul and received open support from the royal family, Bongeunsa Temple was regarded as the most eminent temple during the Joseon era (1392- 1910). It was also known as one of the centers of Korean Zen (seon) Buddhism. One of the most famous individu- als associated with Bongeunsa Temple was the monk Bou (1509-1565) who was responsible for establishing, with the support of the royal family, the monk examination system designed to educate the new generation of thinkers who would emerge as Buddhist leaders in Korea. The majority of those who were at the forefront of Bud- dhism in Joseon during the 16th-17th centuries were in fact products of Bongeunsa Temple. Prominent examples include the monk Seosan and his disciple Samyeong.” (Temples of Korea : Korean Buddhism, 17 temples of Korea, Buddhism terms. Yu, Myŏng-jong. 2009)