Guinsa, Buddhist temple complex in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
Guinsa, the headquarters of the Cheontae school of Korean Buddhism, sits in the Yeonhwa area of the Sobaek Mountains near Danyang. Its over 50 buildings rise several storeys tall, unlike the one- or two-storey halls of most Korean temples, and some use orange glazed roof tiles instead of black slate. The 5-Story Dharma Law Hall, completed in 1980, holds meditation halls on its lower floors and a gilded altar of Shakyamuni on the fifth.
The temple was founded in 1945 and rebuilt following the Korean War. Its prominence grew after becoming the official headquarters of the Cheontae school in 1967.
Guinsa's name means "Temple of Salvation and Kindness." It is the headquarters of the Cheontae school, which was reestablished there in 1967 with Master Sangwol Wongak as First Patriarch. The temple runs a two-day Temple Stay program twice a month that includes a 3 a.m. morning ceremony, bookable online or by phone.
Guinsa sits in a narrow valley of the Sobaek Mountains near Danyang, with the buildings rising in tiers up the slopes. Free simple vegetarian meals are served to all visitors at set times, roughly 6:30–7:00 for breakfast, 11:30–13:30 for lunch and 18:30 for dinner. Take only what you can finish, since leftovers are not allowed. A two-day temple stay programme, held twice a month, includes the 3 a.m. morning ceremony and can be booked online or by phone.
The complex operates a large agricultural area to produce food for its monks and visitors. This type of self-sufficient farming reflects the traditional way of life at many religious communities in the region.
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