Tomorrow I head to the Lotus Lantern Meditation centre for an overnight temple stay, another thing I can tick off my list of things to do before I leave Korea.

When I initially found the information it sounded like a fantastic way of getting a better understanding of Korean Buddhist traditions. But as I sit here tired, with no idea how to get to the temple or how long it will take I looked at the weekend schedule for encouragement. Then I realised my usual Sunday lie in will be replaced pre-dawn chanting and meditation at 4:00am followed by breakfast and dish washing in silence!

Whilst it still seems like an amazing experience my enthusiasm won’t return until I’ve had a good nights sleep tonight in preparation for the weekends schedule, which is as follows.

Saturday
14:00  Arrival & check-in
16:00 Orientation on temple manners
18:00 Dinner & Dish washing (Silence is recommended)
19:00 Evening Chanting
19:30 Introduction on Buddhism & Sitting Meditation
20:30 Practice of Balwoo Meal Offering
21:30 Light out

Sunday
04:00 Pre-dawn Chanting & Sitting Meditation
(108 prostrations, Reciting of Virochana Mantra, Homage to Buddha, Reading of daily vows & Heart Sutra)
06:00 Balwoo Breakfast & Dish washing (Absolute Silence)
07:30 Silence Walking Meditation & Community Work
09:00 Copying Sutra
11:00 Midday Chanting
11:30 Lunch & Dish washing (Silence is recommended)
13:00 Cleaning rooms & Check-out
(Bus service is available to the nearest bus stop)

Lets hope after all that meditation, chanting and silence I’m feeling enlightened on Sunday night!

* Posted by j150vsc on 18/05/2007.