Hyangjeoksan Hansang | Restaurant Guide | K-Travel Mate

Musangsa Temple is an international Zen Temple exclusively for foreigners. The temple aims at promoting Korean Zen Buddhism among foreign monks and nuns while encouraging non-Buddhist priests and religious leaders to experience Zen. Twice a year (once in the summer and once in the winter) a 3-month program is held for foreign monks and nuns to come and practice Ganhwaseon, a type of Zen Buddhism. Travelers and other foreigners are also welcome to participate in shortened versions of the program, which are typically one week in length. During meditation/program periods, public visits are limited. The temple’s yearly schedule is divided into three sections with the last section providing various events and programs including weekend events and workshops. The temple also offers temple stay and other programs run in both Korean and English.

Musangsa is a cozy temple located at the southern foot of Gyeryongsan Mountain. It is well known for hosting foreign monks who practice Korean Buddhism there. Every year, it holds two intensive three-month Zen meditation retreats, one in summer called Ha-an-geo and one in winter called Dong-an-geo. Outside these periods, various temple programs are offered. The temple provides education for becoming a monk, weekend retreats, special events, and workshops, as well as Buddhist ceremonies, a Zen café, and scripture study classes for the general public. All programs are conducted in both English and Korean. Nearby is Hyangjeoksan Healing Forest, making it enjoyable to take a forest bath and then explore the temple.