Beomeosa Temple on Mount Geumjeongsan in Busan is hosting a firefly-lit walking meditation for the public as part of the 2026 Beomeo Festival. Starting with an opening lighting ceremony on October 23, the temple is opening a walking meditation course on its grounds every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. through November 22, with firefly-inspired lights illuminating the route. The event is hosted and organized by Beomeosa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
As the sun sets early in late autumn, visitors can take a slow walk along the temple’s nighttime paths after work or on a weekend evening. Those new to seated meditation can begin by focusing their attention on each step.
A Night Walk from Dongsan Park to the Main Buddha Hall, Passing Through Four Gates
The route starts at Dongsan Park, near the entrance to Daeseongam Hermitage on the temple grounds, and continues through the Jogye Gate, the Four Heavenly Kings Gate and the Gate of Nonduality before reaching the courtyard in front of the Main Buddha Hall. Passing through the temple gates one by one, visitors move from the noise outside to the quiet within. Firefly-inspired lights along the path softly illuminate the space between the forest and temple buildings.
In its announcement, Beomeosa said it welcomes both members of the public and Buddhists. The notice does not mention a separate registration process or participation fee. For more information, contact the Beomeosa administrative office at 051-508-3122.
Opening Day Includes Circumambulating the Three-Story Stone Pagoda and Singing Bowl Meditation
The opening lighting ceremony, held at 5:30 p.m. on October 23 at Dongsan Park, featured lighting the firefly-inspired lamps and walking together. The opening-day route passes the courtyard in front of the Main Buddha Hall and continues with a circumambulation of the three-story stone pagoda, followed by singing bowl meditation and a closing dedication. Walking, circumambulating the pagoda and sound meditation are brought together in one continuous program.
Circumambulating a pagoda is a longstanding Buddhist practice of walking around it while focusing the mind. The simple, repeated movement can help quiet the mind, making it a natural complement to walking meditation.
Why Walking Meditation Is a Good Way to Begin
In daily life, where information and stimulation arrive nonstop, it can be difficult to start by sitting for a long time and observing the breath. Walking meditation involves moving the body while turning attention to the sensations in the soles of the feet, the breath and the sounds around you, making it a relatively comfortable starting point for beginners. The darkening forest path and the stillness of the temple provide a fitting backdrop for sustaining that attention.
Beomeosa’s event is significant in that it opens the temple’s grounds and practice traditions to the public during the evening. For those who find walking meditation suits them, it offers an entry point they can return to each week for a month. Beomeosa Temple is located at 250 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan.
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