Templestay for Lunar New Year Held at Over 20 Temples, Offering Meditation, Traditional Activities

▲ Yutnori, provided by the Korea Buddhist Culture Promotion Foundation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism office announced on Thursday that it will be operating a "Lunar New Year Templestay" at over 20 temples nationwide next week.

The event will take place from January 22 to 30, allowing participants to experience Lunar New Year traditions.

Various programs are planned, including a joint New Year's ceremony, Buddhist traditional bowing (Tongal), offering of rice cake soup, dumpling making, folk games, and meditation.

At Beopjusa Temple in Boeun, participants can enjoy games like Yutnori and Gonggi, while at Yeongpyeongsa Temple in Sejong, activities such as rice cake pounding, jegichagi, and Yutnori will be available.

▲ "Tea Ceremony with a Monk" program, provided by the Korea Buddhist Culture Promotion Foundation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

At Dogapsa Temple in Yeongam, participants can try making New Year's lanterns, while at Naksan Temple in Yangyang, there will be a chance to make LED lotus lanterns.

At Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, participants can make dumplings and engage in food meditation, while at the Gongju Korean Culture Training Center, there will be a chance to make chestnut rice cakes. The Yeondeung International Zen Center in Ganghwa offers a temple vegetarian sushi experience.

For those seeking to begin the new year with a fresh start, they can join meditation sessions such as Seon meditation at Bulgapsa Temple in Yeonggwang, sunrise meditation at Simwonsa Temple in Seongju, yoga meditation at Daheungsa Temple in Haenam, and focused Seon meditation at Yeondeung International Zen Center in Ganghwa.

Director of the office, Monk Mandang, expressed hope that the Lunar New Year Templestay would help strengthen family bonds and offer a time to set resolutions for the new year.

For specific schedules and detailed program information for each temple, visit the official Templestay website (www.templestay.com).