join the practice

Winter Kyol Che 2024/2025

November 15, 2024 – February 12, 2025

1. 1. Entry dates: Every Saturday (excluding November 16 & February 8)
      • See the arrival time guide below at No.3
   2. Exit: Every Saturday right after lunch (around 12:00 PM) * Please make sure to plan your trip so that you leave after lunch on Saturday, the day of departure. This will have a significant impact on the retreat atmosphere of the remaining participants.
   3. Arrival time
      1. Participants from the start date of Kyol Che (November 15)
         • Participants coming from overseas to participate from the Kyol Che start date (November 15th) are advised to arrive at Musangsa two days before the start date, which is November 13th, to climatize themselves to the temple. If it’s difficult to arrive two days earlier, they MUST arrive at Musangsa by noon on November 14th. There will be an important orientation at 1:30 p.m. that day.
         • Participants travelling locally from Korea to participate from the Kyol Che start date (November 15th) MUST arrive at Musangsa by noon on November 14.
      2. Participants after the start date of Kyol Che
         • MUST arrive at Musangsa office between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM every Saturday (please be punctual)
      3. If you cannot arrive by the designed time due to unavoidable reason, you must notify the Musangsa office or the person in the temple whom you have been communicated, and arrive by 4:00 PM at the latest.
   4. Intensive Week (December 31, 2024 – January 7, 2025)
      1. Entry date: December 30, 2024 (MUST arrive between 12:00 PM (noon) and 1:00 PM)
      2. Exit: Anytime between 3:00 AM and 6:00 PM on January 7
      3. You must have experience participating in Kyol Che or a retreat that corresponds to it in order to apply for the intensive week.
      4. Entry/exit is not possible during the intensive week (December 31 – January 7).

5. The 90 day Zen Retreat ‘Kyol Che’ at Musangsa

Kyol Che at Musangsa offers a structured schedule encompassing focused formal practice, work practice, hiking, and communal retreat activities within a traditional Zen temple environment. We warmly welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join us and partake in this unique opportunity to practice alongside an international community of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen practitioners. Participants will also receive regular teachings from our guiding teachers.

Engaging in Kyol Che at Musangsa can serve as a transformative experience, laying a strong foundation for Zen practice upon returning to your respective home country. Please note that teachings at Musangsa are conducted in English. Prior to applying, we kindly request that you carefully review the following information.

6. Basic Requirements 

• • Participants must commit to at least one week of attendance.
  • Monks and nuns are obligated to attend the entire 90-day period.
  • Applicants must be over 18 years old and stay for the full duration of their chosen period.
  • Accommodations consist of simple, shared rooms with floor sleeping arrangements and mattresses (In winter, there is underfloor heating system).

7. To participate in the Kyol Che retreat:

• • Fill out and submit the Kyol Che Application form online at least 1 week before your intended entry date.
  • Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, pending approval from the guiding teachers.
  • Ensure to provide accurate details of your desired sitting period, meditation experience, attach a recent photograph(recommended), and disclose any medical conditions.
  • Your application must be fully completed with a signature (check the Declaration box in the online form).  *Incomplete applications will not be processed.
  • If you do not receive a response within one week, please resubmit your online application or email office@musangsa.org

Arrival & Registration Guidelines:

1. International Participants:

• • Arrival at Musangsa: Entry date between 12:00 noon to 13:00.
  • Designated entry dates: Saturdays ONLY, unless otherwise specified.

2. Local Participants (Traveling within Korea):

• • Arrival at Musangsa: Entry date between 12:00 noon to 13:00.
  • Designated entry dates: Saturdays ONLY, unless otherwise indicated.

3. Late Arrival Notice:

• • If you miss the specified arrival time, ensure you arrive no later than 4:00 PM on your entry date.
  • An essential orientation session will follow thereafter.

4. Exit from the Retreat:

• • Departure after lunch on your designated exit date.

These guidelines ensure smooth registration and participation in the retreat. Please adhere to the specified times for a seamless experience.

Kyol Che Fees

Note: The student rate is a 50% discount for students under 25 years of age.

Important Information:

• • Please bring your current student ID upon registration to avail of the student discount.
  • Allow the temple to keep a copy of your ID for our records.

Participants who choose to join the retreat at Musangsa agree to adhere to the following rules:

1. 1. Follow Retreat and Temple Rules: Participants are required to abide by the rules set forth by Musangsa and the Kwan Um School of Zen.
   2. Observance of Silence: Silence must be maintained during the retreat as outlined in the program schedule.
   3. Full Participation in Daily Practice: Participants are expected to fully engage in the daily scheduled practice activities.
   4. Hair Maintenance for Laypersons: Laypersons are not permitted to shave their heads and should maintain at least 1 cm of hair.
   5. Adherence to Temple Etiquette: Participants must ensure that their actions do not disturb others and comply with the behavior and etiquette expected at a Korean temple. Orientation will be provided to instruct participants on proper conduct.
   6. Restriction on Outside Communications: Participants are prohibited from engaging in any form of outside communication during the retreat.
   7. No Use of Electronic Devices: Mobile phones, personal computers, tablets, and any other personal telecommunication or entertainment devices are not allowed during the retreat. Upon arrival, such devices will be  collected and stored safely at the temple until the end of the retreat.
   8. No Outside Contacts: During the retreat, participants must stay within the temple grounds and refrain from making outside contacts. This includes telephone calls, chats, emails, letters, and visits, except in emergencies. In such cases, participants can contact the temple Director via email, fax, or telephone, and will be informed accordingly.

By agreeing to these rules, participants commit to fostering an environment conducive to mindfulness, self-reflection, and spiritual growth during their at Musangsa.

Travel Information

For international participants, please check with the South Korean embassy for travel regulation, visa eligibility, and quarantine rules before applying for the Kyol Che retreat at Musangsa. We can provide travel direction from Incheon Airport to Musangsa if you’re coming from overseas. If joining after the start date, arrive at least a day before to adjust, especially if from abroad. Stay in Eomsari or Seoul until your entry date.

KOREA IMMIGRATION WEBSITE https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt

 Ensure you have a valid passport and check with the Korea embassy regarding your visa length for the Musangsa retreat. Overstaying visas is not permitted. For the full 90 day retreat, you may need to stay longer in Korea. Most tourist visas are for 90 days or less check the Korea Immigration website for details. Musangsa does Not handle visa extensions. Consider scheduling retreat dates within your visa limit. For temporary extensions(e.g., day trips to Japan), contact Musangsa.

KOREA IMMIGRATION WEBSITE https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt

Required Clothing for Kyol Che

1. Traditional Meditation Clothes:

• Grey meditation pants
• Working jacket
• Bowing robe

2. Additional Notes:

• Participants can borrow meditation clothes from the temple upon arrival, but sizes are limited.
• Shirts with collars should be avoided. Round-neck shirts, T-shirts, and sweaters are preferred.
• Colors for shirts and personal clothing should be muted and dull, such as white, grey, brown, etc., to blend with the robes.
• Socks should be worn in any public area.
• Regardless of the season, wear short or long-sleeved tops under the robe, jacket, or vest.
• Bring personal outdoor clothing such as a coat, hiking shoes, hat, scarf, and gloves.
• Participants who have taken five precepts or more in the Kwan Um School of Zen should bring your ojo kasa and long robe for chanting practices.

3. Additional Considerations:

• Temperature Chart: Ensure personal clothing is suitable based on the temperature chart provided.
• Etiquette: Maintain respectful behavior and follow temple etiquette throughout the retreat.

Adhering to these clothing guidelines will contribute to a focused and respectful environment during the Kyol Che retreat.

Food Guidelines:

• Vegetarian Diet: All participants are required to accept the simple, vegetarian diet provided.
• Special Requirements: It is acknowledged that meeting the special food requirements of all participants is not feasible.
• Supplementary Foodstuffs: Supplementary foodstuffs are strictly prohibited.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Personal Health and Insurance Guidelines:

• Attendees are required to take full responsibility for your own health during the retreat.
• The temple does not accept responsibility for personal medicines, medical, or dental expenses.
• Non-emergency visits to a doctor will not be feasible during the retreat; access to medical care will be limited to cases of serious emergency.
• Individuals with pre-existing illnesses or physical injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment are advised not to apply for this retreat.

Transportation Costs Notice:

1. Round-trip airfare from your home country to Seoul.
2. Round-trip fare by ship between Busan and Japan if a visa renewal trip is required (approximately US $300).
3. Transportation costs to and from the airport.
4. The cost of overnight accommodation in a hotel or motel if necessary due to late flight arrival in Korea (approximately US $40 upwards).