Lotus Lantern Buddhist Center Temple Stay #2

This temple is about three hours outside of Seoul on an island. The Center is surrounded by rice paddies and open pastures in a serene setting. A colleague and I were assigned our own personal monk! We were the only two English speaking guests. Our monk was visiting from another temple and he wanted to use his English speaking skills. He didn't follow the typical three day temple stay plan because he had not done it before,so we got extra attention including a long walk, a long tea time and extra meditation times. We were a bit shocked by the hour meditation periods and had to move our legs around a few times! This was an amazing experience because we got to ask our monk so many questions and see the man under the robe--figuratively!! He is only 35 years-old and was raised as a Catholic for the first 22 years of his life. We were very curious about the required studies, practices and ways of life of a monk.

Schedule:

Saturday

2:00 p.m.: Arrival & Check-in 
4:00 p.m.: Orientation 
6:00 p.m.: Dinner 
7:00 p.m.: Evening Chanting 
7:20 p.m.: Lecture of Basic Buddhism & Korean Seon meditation 
8:00 p.m.: Practice Sitting Meditation. (20min) 
9:00 p.m.: Sleep 

Daily Schedule
04 : 00       Pre-dawn Chanting
05 : 00       Sitting
06 : 00       Rest
06 : 30       Breakfast
07 : 30       Cleaning Room
08 : 00       Sitting
10 : 30       Rest
11 : 00       Midday Chanting
12 : 00       Lunch and Rest
14 : 00       Sitting
16 : 00       Dhamma Talk
17 : 30       Dinner and Rest
19 : 00       Evening Chanting
19 : 20       Sitting
21 : 00       Sleeping

                  Sign on the side of the road about 20 minutes outside of town.

 About 1/4 mile walk lined with lanterns. Ahhh it feels like peace.

 Oh good, food is ready! Always buffet style and seconds are okay!

 Imagine what the world would be like if we all read these vows before each meal  and truly took them to heart!

 This is my favorite picture from the dining room because this is where the monks sit. Must have a little Skippy and a huge bottle of olive oil to flavor up!

 My colleague Lynn standing next to the pots filled with red pepper powder.

                                            Lily Pad and lotus pond.

          This is where we sat at night after meditation for tea, consciousness chat and            laughter. These monks really enjoy a good chuckle.

 Organic garden with red pepper, lettuce, broccoli. No garlic here because Buddhist monks are advised to avoid them, as their consumption tends to disturb the peacefulness of the mind. According to [the sutras], garlic, three kinds of onions, and leeks are the five forbidden pungent roots. `If eaten raw, they are said to cause irritability of temper, and if eaten cooked, to act as an aphrodisiac; moreover, the breath of the eater, if reading the sutras, will drive away the good spirits.'"

                              All red peppers outside. All ginseng inside;
                             each plant takes six years to mature.

 Taking a stroll with my monk and the woman who manages the templestays.

                      The monk is telling us about the opium filled poppies!

                               This is a funky B&B not far from the temple.

                  We filled bags with rice to sell and make as an offering.

                   Local cooks are peeling the ginger with paring knives.

         A venerable monk from India is coming to the temple to speak on Buddha's                               birthday, so a feast needs to be prepared.

                                                The calligraphy room.

                                      Two darling visitors at the temple.

                                      This bell wakes us up at 3:40AM!

                        Lynn Standing on the side of the Dharma temple.

 Buddhist disciples celebrate the Buddha’s birthday by holding the ceremony in which a statue of the baby Buddha is placed at the center of a water fountain decorated with fragrant flowers. Following a chanting and offering service, participants take turns ladling the fragrant water in the fountain and pouring it over the baby Buddha statue while chanting the “Bathing the Buddha Gatha”. This ritual symbolizes the washing away of the greed, anger, ignorance and all the accumulated defilements in our minds. A pure mind brings wisdom and blessings. The beauty of the flowers, the sweet fragrance emanating from the water fountain, and the mindfulness and respect called forth by the bathing ritual serve to remind the participants to always avoid unwholesome thoughts and actions, and maintain purity of body and mind at every moment.

                  Each lantern on the ceiling represents a donation by a community                             member.

                                             I bow in reverence.

 The monk held a long tea ceremony just for the two of us and we got to ask any  questions we wanted!

 The food is served buffet style, vegan of course. However on occasion they do serve yogurt, but no eggs. Rice porridge, kimchi-of course-, tofu, mushrooms and a freshly blended pineapple smoothie.

                                       Sleeping quarters. Couple of cushions and a                                                              comforter. And our own bathroom!

 Hopped a bus to get home and lots of military guys just finished a long stint. I thought it was sweet how they were looking at all their mail and pictures of loved ones. Every Korean male must serve two years in the military between the ages of 18 and 35.

                           Saw a building go up in flames on our bus ride!

 After 3 days of healthy vegan food, we ordered up some deep fried spicy chicken and salmon salad at one of the fancy department store's food court.