Department of Temple Stay of the International Dharma Instructors’ Association(IDIA)
We will work together with the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, including 25 temples which operate temple stay programs for foreigners, and will support foreigners who participate in Korean programs. In addition, we will gain ideas about the temple stay programs preferred by foreigners and try to develop those programs as cultural contents. By doing so, we will spread outstanding programs overseas in order to contribute to propagating Korean Buddhism.
Activities to support the temple stay programs for foreigners during national events; visiting and having relationships with the temples that operate temple stay programs; operating an international meditation program; reviewing and developing foreign language Dharma talk programs.
Activities to support the temple stay programs for foreigners
Promotion and support of temple stay programs began as a means of supporting foreigners who visited Korea during the Korea-Japan World-cup games in 2002. In cooperation with the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, in 2018 at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, we supported the major five temples operating temple stay programs in Gangwon-do province and promoted these programs through volunteer activities.
Visiting and Engaging in Exchanges with Temples that Operate Temple Stay Programs for Foreigners
Once per season, we visit temples operating temple stay programs for foreigners and conduct mutual exchanges and cooperative promotional activities.
Reviewing and Developing the Dharma Talk Program in Foreign Languages
We plan to review and develop a suitable Dharma Talk program for foreigners so that it can be used as a temple stay operation and foreign language Dharma meeting program.
Operating an International Meditation Program
Based on the outstanding meditation programs of Korean Buddhism, we have planned and founded suitable meditation programs for foreigners, which we operate once a week in the Buddhist English Library.
Meanwhile, members of IDIA have operated meditation programs in the Buddhist English Library such as the Nurnberg meditation program, New York Omega Institute’s meditation program, and Hwagyesa Seung Sahn international meditation programs. We will develop more meditation programs to enable greater foreigner participation in the future.
Recent Activities
