Temple Stay, be mindful.

So, my first meeting with Yongmun Temple was quite spontaneous. When I was struggling in a swamp-like relationship, I had to go somewhere. As I was looking for a quiet yet safe place where I could empty my thoughts, a temple stay came to mind, and since I was always attracted to temples and Buddhism, I headed to the nearest place, Yongmunsa Temple. If you take the emerald line and watch helplessly as the subway doors open and close, you will arrive at Yongmun Station. If you take a village bus that will arrive at any time and take a winding path, you will arrive at the beginning of the hiking trail leading to Yongmunsa Temple. Climb the mountain holding the backpack strap with both hands. If you turn off the music, listen to the sound of the wind and water, and often look up at the sky, you will soon arrive at Yongmunsa Temple, where ginkgo trees that are over a thousand years old are alive and breathing.

I saw two summers and one fall at Yongmunsa Temple. I missed it last year because it went by so quickly, but I still go every year like a ritual without any special reasons. I lock everything that was bothering me in the secular world, along with my cell phone, and walk around the mountain temple empty-handed. I felt good for no reason when I spent the day waking up at a certain time, chanting the Buddha’s name, carrying an offering, making 108 bows, and listening to the sound of the bell and the setting sky in my heart. However, it does not wash away the worries and pain in my heart. I think it is rather shameless to want to heal old problems through temple stay. Of course, at first, I also came hoping that my wounds would heal. After realizing that it was greedy to hope that all the things Suduruk had been struggling with day and night in the first few days at the mountain temple would be completely resolved, I no longer wish for it. Just thank you. I am just grateful that I can sit in complete solitude and take in the beautiful scenery with my eyes.

The last temple I visited, Yongmunsa Temple, was dressed in simple autumn colors. I had never taken out my phone to take a picture, but I took a picture of Yongmunsa Temple in the fall because it was too disappointing to capture it with just my eyes. This year, I plan to visit in early summer when the fresh breeze blows.

On the way to Yongmun Station, the sparkling river and cyclists outside the car window.

The night I discovered while hiking. It’s fall.

In front of the accommodation where the morning sun comes in.

My dream pepper field.

If you look closely, there is dew on it.

A ginkgo tree that is said to be over a thousand years old.

I remember once surrounding this wooden pillar with everyone I met at a temple stay and making a wish.

The lantern made of colorful Korean paper is very pretty.

The earnest stories of many people scattered beneath the spring.

The monk also bakes pizza in a wood-fired oven. Although it did not exist a few years ago, temple stays are also developing.

The colors of the cute acorn basket are just like fall.