Balancing Body and Mind: Our Templestay at Golgulsa Temple
Curious about what it’s like to stay in a Buddhist temple in South Korea? In this guide, we share everything you need to know about the templestay experience—what to expect, how it feels, and why it might become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
WHAT IS A TEMPLE STAY?
A temple stay is a cultural experience offered by various temples across Korea, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the daily life of Buddhist monks. During your stay, you can engage in meditation, participate in rituals, and enjoy simple, mindful living. It provides a rare chance to disconnect from the fast-paced world and find inner peace while gaining insight into Buddhist philosophy and practices.
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WHAT TO EXPECT?
Commitment and Mindset
To begin with, a templestay is not a luxurious retreat or a casual tourist activity. It’s a cultural and spiritual immersion that requires an open mind and a willingness to engage fully in the experience. You do not need to be a Buddhist or have any prior understanding of the religion to participate. During our stay, there was no pressure from the temple to convert us or to deeply study Buddhism. Instead, the focus was on allowing participants to experience temple life and explore the martial art of Sunmudo. The program offers an introduction to meditation, chanting, and the search for one’s true nature. By embracing the practices and mindset of monastic life, you can reflect on your own habits and thoughts while gaining a unique cultural perspective.
Stay online during your temple stay with an eSIM, so you can quickly search for Buddhism facts, local customs at the temple, or any question you have during your stay.
The Art of Sunmudo
One of the unique highlights of the Golgulsa templestay is Sunmudo, a Korean martial art that combines moving meditation, mindful breathing, and physical exercises. Training sessions include warm-ups, stretching, core-strengthening movements, and dynamic exercises like jumping. While these activities can be physically demanding, especially if you’re not used to regular exercise, the instructors emphasize that you should only push as far as your body allows.
Sunmudo is more than just a workout—it’s a practice that fosters harmony between body and mind. Through its meditative movements, you’ll experience a balance of strength and mindfulness that’s deeply rooted in Korean Buddhist traditions.
Accomodation and Food
Temple life is simple, and so are the accommodations. You’ll sleep on a thin futon on the floor with bed and pillow covers provided upon arrival. Meals follow a monk’s vegetarian diet—nutritious, minimal, and made to encourage mindfulness in eating.
Duration of Stay
Most templestays, including Golgulsa Temple, offer programs ranging from a single night to longer stays. We opted for the popular 2-day, 1-night experience, which provides a great introduction to temple life without being too overwhelming. If you’re unsure about committing to a longer stay, we recommend starting with one night to see if it suits you.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TEMPLE
Templestays are offered at various locations across South Korea, and we recommend choosing one that is easily accessible by public transport and offers activities that align with your interests. Be sure to check availability, as each temple has its own schedule, and programs can fill up quickly without advance reservations. We chose to stay at Golgulsa Temple, the only one in South Korea offering Sunmudo classes as part of their program, and conveniently located near Gyeongju, the historic capital of the Silla Kingdom. To learn more about what to do there, check the link below for our detailed guide.
BOOK | Temple Stays in South Korea
PRICE | ₩100,000 for a shared room (2 PAX)
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THE SCHEDULE
Day 1: Introduction & Training
14:30 Check-in
15:00 Seonmudo demonstration (exc. Mon & Tues. )
16:10 Orientation (temple etiquettes & Sunmudo)
16:30 Sunmudo training
17:40 108 prostrations
18:00 Dinner
21:00 Go to bed
Day 2: Buddhist Temple Life Introduction
05:00 Get up
05:30 Early morning Buddhist service / sitting meditation
06:10 Walking meditation
06:30 Breakfast
09:00 Sunmudo training
10:10 Morning Buddhist service (optional)
10:50 Tea time with a buddhist monk over tea
11:40 Lunch
12:00 Check-out
DAY 1 - Introduction & Training
We were picked up at the bus station by the temple van and taken to the temple. At check-in, we received our uniforms and bed covers, and were introduced to the rules: no smoking, drinking, eating animal products, or intimacy. Couples can’t stay in the same room, and the sleeping quarters are shared by two people. Ingrid was assigned a Korean roommate, offering her a unique chance to learn about Korean culture and make a new friend.
The program began with a public Sunmudo demonstration. Two practitioners showcased the movements and positions, giving us a glimpse into this martial art. To our surprise, a traditional Korean song was also performed.
During orientation, we were taught the temple etiquette: bow before entering a room, only serve the food we will eat, clean up after ourselves, and train as much as our bodies allow.
Sunmudo training started with meditation, stretches, and a warm-up. We followed the instructor’s moves, enjoying the challenge and the experience. But out of over 30 participants, fewer than a third kept up with the full training. The group was diverse in age, nationality, and commitment.
The hardest part for us was the 108 prostrations, a series of full-body bows meant to cultivate meditation, devotion, and self-discipline. In Buddhist cosmology, there are 108 afflictions or delusions to overcome. We were shown the proper technique, kneeling to place our palms on the mat, raising them to the sky, and touching our foreheads to the ground—only to rise again and repeat. It was physically demanding, but we pushed through, and by the end, only the three of us (Ingrid’s roomate) had completed all 108.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a simple but delicious vegetarian buffet, sitting on the floor, before heading to bed early, exhausted but fulfilled.
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DAY 2 - Buddhist Temple Life Introduction
The day began at 5 a.m. with an early Buddhist service, consisting of prostrations, chanting, and a 15-minute meditation. Afterward, we learned about the Buddhist walking meditation and practiced it as a group. The focus of this practice is to synchronize your breath with each step, staying mindful of every movement.
After breakfast, Sunmudo practice was different from the day before. We started with meditation, breath work, and warm-up exercises. The training was lighter, as we focused on Sunmudo movements and running drills. One of the exercises required us to run with our eyes closed, trusting that others would guide us to avoid collisions.
Later, we participated in the Buddhist service, which included more prostrations, chanting, and meditation. We then attended a tea service, where we had the chance to ask the monk any questions. She shared details about her life, such as how long she had been a monk, why she chose this path, and how often she sees her family.
We enjoyed our final meal and said our goodbyes before being driven back to the bus station in the temple van.
IS A TEMPLESTAY RIGHT FOR YOU?
We absolutely loved our experience. We really recommend it for you to try it out, only if you are interested and want to follow the experience of the monastic life. We went with an open mind and eager to learn about breathe work, meditation and Sunmudo. We were conscious about how these two days were going to require dedication and will power to get out of our comfort zone. You will not be forced to take part in the whole program or to exceed your body strength.
During the second day, our big group reduced to the third, mainly because not everyone was willing to continue with the intense activities. We did not had the best sleep on the floor and had to wake up at 5:00 a.m., but we went to do this temple stay with all our disposition. We were tired, but put all our effort, desire, and our hearts. Prepare yourself for discomfort, this experience will stir your being.
HOW TO GET HERE?
The express bus from Seoul to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal takes about 4 hours. From there, you will need to take a local bus to the temple. The bus stop is across the street, near the "Gyeongju Bread" shop.
If you're traveling from Busan, take a bus from the Busan Central Bus Station to the Inter-city Bus Terminal, which takes around 50 minutes. The bus stop is located directly across the street from the EDIYA COFFEE shop.
Buses to Golgulsa Temple include routes 100, 100-1, 150, and 150-1. The ride takes approximately 50 minutes, and you should get off at the "Andong/Girimsa/Golgulsa" (안동/기림사/골굴사) bus stop. Use the app Naver Map to see the exact locations and departure times.
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