Wonkwangsa International Zen Temple, Buddhist temple in Búbánatvölgy, Esztergom, Hungary.
Wonkwangsa is a Buddhist temple with seven buildings spread across an expansive rural site near Esztergom. The central meditation hall in Korean style forms the heart of the complex.
The temple began construction in 2005 after Korean Buddhist communities purchased land in the region. International collaboration was central to bringing the project to life from the start.
The temple's name, Wonkwangsa (Original Light), follows Korean usage. Each month it hosts a three-day retreat from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon, and in April and August ten-day retreats; the winter Ango or Kyol Che lasts ninety days, from late November to early March. Buddha's birthday in May and the anniversary of Seung Sahn's death on 30 November 2004 are marked.
The temple stands in Búbánatvölgy, a valley on the edge of Esztergom, near the Fárikút spring. It is open to visitors daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and guided tours are offered. Visitors dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering any building.
The buildings incorporate materials from several countries, including red pine beams from Russia and roof tiles from South Korea. This international sourcing makes it a rare example of cross-border collaboration in temple construction.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,520 contributors worldwide.