A Night of Meditation at Bongeunsa Temple
Bongeunsa Temple
I attended the all-night meditation session on the eve of Buddha's Enlightenment Day!
Buddha's Enlightenment Day is the day when Buddha attained enlightenment!
I stumbled upon the temple stay website and thought it seemed meaningful.
Since it's close by, I decided to apply! Oh, and it was free.
The meditation session lasted from 6 PM to 4 AM!
I could participate just from 6 PM to 8 PM (only two hours) if I wanted!
I didn't have to stay until 4 AM... since I had work the next day, I planned to leave by 10 PM.
Bongeunsa is located across from COEX.
I used to love hanging out at COEX during my middle and high school days...
Cheering for the World Cup... (it was my area...)
But now, as an adult, I find places like Gangnam Station and COEX uncomfortable.
Maybe it's because there are so many people?
It feels like everything is constantly changing, and there’s no fixed reality.
This was my second time at Bongeunsa.
I remember feeling it was touristy due to the large crowds and many foreigners the first time I visited.
This time, it felt even better than the first visit; I seemed to pray a lot more...
I should come here often if I get the chance!
While deciding what to offer, I really wanted red bean porridge.
I picked some red beans and a candle at random.
The candle was adorably shaped like the twelve zodiac signs!
I chose a candle representing the rat, even though I'm a rabbit!
It was a self-service vending machine, so I made a bank transfer.
My spot was assigned, and my name was written down.
There were LED candles too, which made me feel good!
I promised myself that I would definitely attain enlightenment like Buddha!
I made that promise, but I did doze off a bit at the end.
Still, I put in a good effort from 6 PM to 10 PM!
They mentioned they would serve porridge at midnight.
I couldn't stay until then, though!
The moon was beautiful!
My family picked me up, and I comfortably drove home.
Bongeunsa provided free parking registration for meditation participants.
I’m grateful for everything.
I appreciate that many people can participate in the temple stay, and they seemed to have considered many things.
I must have learned something, even if just a little...?
I decided to have porridge like Buddha and ordered red bean and pumpkin porridge when I got home.
I didn’t want to eat white porridge.
It was fun and refreshing, and I felt a bit closer to Buddha!
I want to experience everything related to Buddhism if I get the chance.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/tmtmtmr0803/224161219084
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