Monk For A Day ~ Heinsa Temple

It was my idea to do temple stay in korea. Before you judge, please take note that this is just a cultural experience to us and nothing more. There's plenty of temple scattered around south korea so you can simply choose one that suit your preference. Some offer a great view, some offer martial art show and we choose Haeinsa temple because of Tripitaka Koreana. You can simply check their office in Seoul if you already there and need for more information. 

We took morning bus from Andong to Daegu for an hour. From Daegu we have to take another 1.5hrs bus to Haeinsa Temple. No worries, all destination written on the board so you just have to mention Haeinsa temple when purchasing your ticket. Just make sure you are at Daegu Seobu(west) intercity bus terminal and if you see a lot of monk around that's mean your are at the right place. 

It was a lovely journey to go through Gayasan National Park on the way to the temple. It was a very tranquil area, so peaceful and perfect if you plan to connect with nature and spiritual. 

We made a mistake by stopping one station after Haeinsa temple entrance. Nico was so confident its the next stop, so we end up taking taxi directly to the temple. Walking will be around 1-2km (if im not mistaken). We went directly to temple office for check in so we missed all the beauty along the way to the temple.

We've been given a short briefing upon arrival on temple etiquette.  Which is included  that :

1. Men and women are not allowed to stay together in one room
2. We have to wear socks inside temple
3. We have to be punctual for food and prayer
4. Silence at all time
5. Greet monk when you see them

We are free to visit around temple and take the opportunity to check the tripitaka on our free afternoon. The temple itself was built in 802 and is in Unesco world heritage list. So to be on its ground itself make us feel so lucky to be part of something so old and so well preserved. 

Uniform is given to participant 

Building that housed tripitaka koreana. You only can see from the outside

My favorite monk

As per scheduled we had temple dinner and so eager to see how and what they eat. We went there early and few monks who can speak English even invite us in. The entrance and eating  area for monk and participant is different, the canteen is modern and the food is vegetarian. Another rules that we have to follow is that we have to finish the food that we take. So you have to be very careful with the amount, since you might not like the taste. We took a lot of food on our first dinner and since we are not used to vegetarian, we are struggling to finish it. They serve rice with at least 3-4 vegetarian dishes. In the hall, you have to be silence, eat your food, not complaint on the taste, finish it and bring the empty plates and cups to washing area.

The highlight of this temple stay is the prayer calling and 3.30am service. After we finished dinner we went to see the monk hitting drums on a midst of dusk. At this hour tourist are no more in sight and so its only left us, the monk, the drums beat and the nature. It was an amazing experienced since i didn't know much about Buddhism.

3 monks will take turn hitting the drums

Right after drum, bell and that fish shaped instrument have been played, we went directly to main buddha hall. Remember, you cannot be late. The monk arrived in perfect line and immediately seated themselves for the prayer. Every service is about 30-40min each and evening service is different from dawn. We also have to take pillow and seated, definitely have to be quiet while the monk chanting prayers. Even though we didnt understand anything and we just have to follow what they did, it was amazing. Imagine you are on a hill with nothing else than moonlight, nature and monk chanting sounds which feel like can be heard throughout the area. 

Besides me and hubby, there's few local participant and a group of American student with their professor joining the program. These group of student and their professor was actually a funny sight while we are here. They try to imitated the monk life so much which is nothing wrong. They walk in line with their hands politely fold in front, greet all the monk they meet but during service they made a huge mistake. They just sit there on the floor, looking miserable and didnt bother to do the service which i dont understand why. Well come on, i am muslim and if you didnt come to experience it, why bother joining temple stay at the first place isnt it? 

One of the monk noticed that they didnt do they service properly and have to asked them to stand up and do it. He has to do it 3 4 times since the group will do when he told them to do, stop half way and seated again. 

We had an early night since the purpose is to relax and connect with your spiritual and its also because we have to wake up early for dawn service. 

Again, at 3am they played the drums as to mark for prayer and again we all stand there watching and hearing the sound echo the surrounding area. Compare to evening service, dawn service is much different, a lot of movement and bowing. I think i got headache from to much blood rushing to my brain in such speed lol. But all in all, it is an amazing experience if you willing to learn about other religion, believes and culture. 

We only stayed one night in Heinsa since normal people like us cant survive without meat, internet and entertainment. This temple stay will make you really think about your fast pace life and how its feel when you simply have to disconnect, slowing down, relax and pray. 

Roof  

Thats how the tripitaka looks like inside  

My room