Silleuksa, Buddhist temple in Yeoju, South Korea
Silleuksa is a Korean Buddhist temple in Yeoju positioned along a river with mountains and forests surrounding the grounds. The complex includes several buildings with traditional timber construction and ornamental details, among them the main Daeungjeon hall and various smaller structures.
The temple was founded in 580 and has maintained its role as a Buddhist center through centuries of Korean history. Despite wars, social upheaval, and periods of cultural transformation, the community preserved the site and its practices.
The temple serves as an active place for Buddhist practice, with different halls dedicated to various meditation techniques and prayer rituals. Daily routines of monks are visible to visitors, offering insight into how the community maintains these traditions.
The temple is reachable by bus from Seoul to Yeoju with regular connections throughout the day. Stone pathways can be slippery in wet conditions, so sturdy footwear is helpful when exploring the grounds.
A templestay program lets visitors spend nights at the site participating in meditation sessions and eating traditional vegetarian meals with monks. This overnight experience reveals the real rhythm of monastic life in a way that day visits cannot.
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