5 / 5 - One review
How to get there
One and a half hours by bus from Gwangju or Suncheon
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
A few hours
Songgwangsa (South Korea)
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Republic of Korea
Practical information about Songgwangsa
Reviews of Songgwangsa
This temple is one of the three most beautiful temples in Korea, an essential visit duringa trip to Korea.
My suggestion:
If you want to discover zen meditation, the temple organises training courses every year for a few days and open to all (for a fee).
Summary:
Songgwangsa Temple, "the temple of the vast pine", is a Buddhist centre created in the 12th century, where many famous monks and scholars have received their education. The temple is only accessible after a walk along a trail through the forest. I found the walk very pleasant. The temple buildings are impressive and very colourful because they have undergone many successive restorations (and degradation) over the years.
At weekends the temple offers accommodation in order to share the daily life of the Buddhist monks, with a programme of meditation, vegetarian meals, morning prayers, etc.
During birthday celebrations for Buddha, the temple is decorated with hundreds of lanterns, for a wonderful and particularly photogenic event.
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Heui Jong Kim
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Republic of Korea
47 travellers' photos
