Information
Landmark: Bongeunsa TempleCity: Seoul
Country: South Korea
Continent: Asia
Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul, South Korea, Asia
Overview
Tucked away in Seoul’s Gangnam district, Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사) stands as one of the city’s most important Buddhist sanctuaries, where the scent of burning incense drifts through quiet, shaded courtyards.Right in the middle of busy, neon-lit Gangnam, Bongeunsa feels like a breath of calm, where the scent of incense drifts past tiled roofs and centuries-old Buddhist tradition quietly meets the rush of one of Seoul’s busiest districts.Founded in 794 during the Silla Dynasty (57 BC–935 AD), Bongeunsa began under the guidance of the monk Yeonho, when temple bells first rang out over the wooden rooftops.One of Seoul’s oldest temples, it first opened as Gyeonseongsa, its wooden beams darkened with centuries of incense smoke.It was later renamed Bongeunsa, meaning “Temple of the Supplication for Peace.” Over the centuries, the temple’s wooden halls have been rebuilt and expanded again and again, after wars and fierce storms left them in ruins.Still, it holds onto much of its original spiritual depth and the grace of its architecture, like the worn stone steps that guide visitors inside.The temple sits right across from COEX Mall-a bustling shopping and convention hub-and stands beside the bright, glass-walled COEX Starfield Library and Bongeunsa Station.Though glass towers and busy shops crowd around it, the temple still holds a quiet, incense-scented calm.Bongeunsa Temple’s key features begin with its first highlight: 1.Main Hall (Daeungjeon): This central hall is the heart of Bongeunsa Temple, where monks chant at dawn, incense drifts through the air, and daily Buddhist rituals, prayers, and ceremonies take place.Inside, a towering statue of Sakyamuni Buddha rises above the hall, drawing every eye as the heart of worship.The main hall’s architecture feels rooted in tradition, with thick wooden beams overhead, murals painted in delicate, swirling patterns, and a roof that rises like a graceful wave.Visitors often pause to admire the intricate carvings etched into the hall’s columns and beams, tracing the fine grooves with their eyes.Number two stood on the page, simple and sharp, like a pencil mark pressed into paper.At Bongeunsa Temple, a towering bronze Buddha stands gleaming in the sunlight, one of its most unforgettable sights.Rising 23 meters, or about 75 feet, this towering Buddha ranks among Seoul’s largest, its bronze form gleaming against the jagged lines of the city skyline.The statue depicts Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future, standing as a beacon of hope, peace, and spiritual guidance, its serene smile seeming to promise gentler days ahead.Visitors can pause before it, feeling a quiet peace settle over them, like the hush of leaves in still air.Three.At Bongeunsa’s Seon Meditation Hall, visitors come to practice Seon Buddhism, the Korean form of Zen, often sitting in stillness as candlelight flickers against the wooden floor.The Seon Meditation Hall offers a calm retreat, where visitors can explore meditation and mindfulness, perhaps hearing the soft rustle of robes as they settle into stillness.Several times a week, the temple hosts meditation sessions where visitors can explore Buddhist practices, finding quiet moments for inner peace and deep reflection.These programs often feature guided meditations, lessons in Buddhist philosophy, and quiet conversations that linger like incense in the air.Number four.The temple grounds overflow with greenery, where curved stone paths wind past still ponds and neatly trimmed pines, guiding visitors through each quiet corner of the complex.In the soft light of early morning or as the sun slips low in the late afternoon, Bongeunsa feels calm and still, making it the perfect spot for quiet thought, unhurried rest, and a moment of spiritual pause.Neatly trimmed hedges and bright blossoms frame the temple, deepening its calm, peaceful air.Number five stands out, like the fifth chair in a row that’s just a little out of place.Bell Tower and Rituals: The Bell Tower, or Jonggak, rises above Bongeunsa Temple, its bronze bell catching the morning light.They ring the bell during special ceremonies and prayers, its deep tone echoing through the quiet hall.In traditional Korean Buddhist temples, monks strike the great bronze bell to mark important moments and signal the start of rituals.Visitors can admire the bell, then hear its deep, lingering tone-said to send prayers drifting toward the heavens.Number six stood alone, a small black mark against the white page.Pagodas and stupas dot the temple grounds, some standing near mossy stone paths while others rise quietly in shaded corners.They often hold relics of the Buddha, and their design reflects spiritual enlightenment and a link to the divine-like a spire pointing toward a cloudless sky.Near the temple’s entrance stands a tall pagoda, its stone etched with delicate Korean symbols, and visitors often pause there to take in the graceful curves of its traditional design.Cultural and religious significance glows here, like the warm scent of incense curling through a quiet temple.Bongeunsa Temple hosts a variety of Buddhist ceremonies year-round, from the colorful lanterns of Buddha’s Birthday to the quiet focus of Seon meditation retreats.Buddha’s Birthday (석가탄신일), held in April or May, is a major celebration at Bongeunsa, when the temple glows at night beneath hundreds of bright, swaying lanterns.The streets around the temple burst into celebration too, their lanterns swaying in the warm night air and filling the scene with color and reverence.Two.Bongeunsa is known for championing Korean Seon Buddhism, where quiet hours of meditation-like sitting still as temple bells echo-are seen as the way to enlightenment.This tradition invites practitioners to notice each inhale and exhale, steady the mind, and sink into the present, releasing their grip on worldly attachments.Many visitors head to Bongeunsa for meditation retreats or to simply pause and reflect, surrounded by the hush of temple bells and the soft rustle of pine trees far from the city’s rush.Three.Cultural Outreach and Programs: The temple welcomes visitors with a range of experiences, from hands-on classes in Korean Buddhist traditions to the quiet ritual of a tea ceremony and the careful brushwork of traditional Buddhist art.These programs let you dive in and experience Korean Buddhism for yourself-its quiet morning chants, its centuries-old traditions, and the history that shaped them.Bongeunsa has a small gift shop where you can browse incense, well-worn prayer books, and souvenirs tied to Korean Buddhism.At Bongeunsa Temple, everyone’s welcome-whether you’re there to pray, explore, or just breathe in the scent of pine drifting through the quiet courtyards.Whether you’re chasing spiritual insight, curious about Korean Buddhism, or just craving a quiet spot where you can hear the wind in the pines, Bongeunsa is the perfect place to be.Bongeunsa Temple sits in Seoul’s Gangnam district, just a short walk from bustling streets, so it’s easy for visitors to find.It sits right across from COEX Mall, with Bongeunsa Station on Line 9 only a few minutes’ walk past the café on the corner.Bongeunsa welcomes visitors daily, from the quiet hush of morning to the soft glow of evening.The temple grounds open at 5 a.m. and close at 9 p.m., though certain spots-like the quiet meditation hall-follow their own hours for prayer or meditation programs.You can enter the temple for free, but some activities-like a weekend meditation retreat or a traditional dance workshop-might need you to register or pay a small fee.In the end, Bongeunsa Temple gives you a rare glimpse of traditional Korean Buddhist life, tucked quietly among Seoul’s glass towers and constant rush.This quiet sanctuary invites visitors to explore Korean Buddhism, sit in still meditation, and pause to reflect while the scent of incense drifts through the air.Whether you’re here to deepen your spirit, explore rich traditions, or simply breathe in the quiet under ancient wooden beams, Bongeunsa Temple offers it all in the heart of Seoul.
