The Door to Meditation Reopens in the Heart of Seoul
Every Saturday morning, a 50-minute time to face one's inner self in a serene Hanok space at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain. Jingwansa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, is recruiting students for the 2nd session of Zen meditation starting on March 14 (Saturday).
Zen meditation (禪冥想) is a practice that combines traditional Korean Buddhist methods such as chanting, seated meditation, and sutra recitation with modern meditation techniques. It is gaining attention as a practical tool for caring for the mind in daily life, rather than a grand religious initiation. As the Jogye Order actively promotes the popularization of Zen meditation for the improvement of public mental health, Jingwansa has opened its doors even wider through this second session.
A 10-Week Journey — From 'Meeting Myself for the First Time' to 'Being Happy Here and Now'
The 2nd session of Zen meditation consists of a total of 10 classes. The start date is March 14, 2026 (Saturday), and graduation will be on May 10 (Sunday), with classes held every Saturday at 9 AM (50-minute sessions). The location is the Beauty Meditation Room on the 3rd floor of the Han Cultural Experience Center.
The course structure is intriguing. It begins with 'Meeting Zen Meditation for the First Time' and continues with 'Being Comfortable and Relaxed', 'Being Awake in Daily Life', 'Seeing as It Is', and 'Looking Clearly'. In the latter part, it deepens with themes such as 'Welcoming and Expanding', 'Warm and Gentle', and 'Being Happy Here and Now'. The 9th and 10th sessions (May 9-10) will conclude with a 7-hour retreat focused on intensive meditation.
This is not a simple theoretical course; each session is delicately designed to reinterpret a scene from life in the language of meditation.
Beginner and Intermediate Levels, Choose Your Suitable Stage
This 2nd session is divided into beginner and intermediate levels. The beginner class is open to the first 25 participants, allowing anyone who is new to meditation to join, while the intermediate class is available only to those who have completed the basic meditation course. This structure allows everyone from those taking their first steps in meditation to those who have already taken a step forward to continue their journey.
"Why do we shower every day but not wash our minds daily?" This question from the Zen meditation experience event at Jingwansa succinctly illustrates why Zen meditation should become a regular practice in daily life. Just as we wash our bodies, washing our minds is the way of life that Zen meditation proposes.
A Space to Meet 'My True Self', Jingwansa
Located in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Jingwansa is a nun's temple that embodies a serene and elegant atmosphere at the foot of the Eungbong Peak of Bukhansan. Although it is close to the bustling city center, once you enter the temple grounds, a different time flows. The Han Cultural Experience Center is a space where sophisticated modern sensibilities blend with the dignity of Hanok, making it an excellent environment to momentarily set aside the noise of daily life.
"A time to meet 'my true self', Zen meditation." This is what Jingwansa conveyed while announcing this 2nd session. It doesn't have to be a grand enlightenment. Just 50 minutes every Saturday morning to pause and listen to oneself. That alone gives this course sufficient meaning.
Applications can be made via email (jingarden3955@naver.com) or through the Jingwansa website.