Join The Practice

The ultimate purpose of Zen practice is to realize the true nature of life and death, and to find the correct direction for human life. Through this practice, you can get mental clarity and wisdom that will benefit your everyday life, and help others and society with compassion.

What you SHOULDN’T expect from this practice

Some people have wrong expectations and/or fantasies when they participate in Zen programs, and retreats. Please quickly review the following to see if they match your expectations of correct Zen.

Zen is not a ceremony based on blind faith; nor should it be considered a means to gain some merit.
Zen is not intellectual and/or philosophical entertainment. Zen practice does not help you to improve on such skills.
Zen programs are not an opportunity to have some fun away from work, socializing with others.
Zen is not a means to run away from life.
Zen is not a cure-all for serious mental health issues. We have seen lots of people participating in Zen retreats, hoping for their conditions to improve. If you already have mental health issues that require treatment, we are sorry to say that we do not recommend Zen as a treatment. For those who have had psychiatric treatments before, practicing Zen may even complicate their previous treatments.

Weekend Retreat

Musangsa has a weekend Zen meditation program during spring and fall (non-retreat period). Usually, it is held once or twice each, in spring and autumn. Even those who have not experienced Zen meditation can participate in this program.
The one-day schedule for Weekend retreat consists of 108 bows, sitting meditation, chanting meditation, kong An interview and working practice (working together). You will practice with Musangsa’s multinational monks, as well as Korean and foreign lay practitioners.
For those who have not yet participated in the Summer or Winter retreat, participating in the weekend Zen meditation program can be a good experience for when they participate in a retreat in the future

Weekend Retreat Information

Weekend Retreat 2025 Spring

March 29(Sat)-30(Sun)

Entry

1st entry: March 28(Fri), 4:00 PM (optional sitting until 9:00 PM after evening chanting)
2nd entry: March 29(Sat), 8:00 AM (Inexperienced participants must arrive by 7:30 AM)

Arrival Time Guide

If you arrive at the temple before the designated times, you may rest and wait in the large room on the first floor of the office building, or take a walk. Please be sure to meet in the office on the first floor of the office building at 4:00 PM sharp on Friday and 7:30 AM sharp on Saturday.
If you are unable to arrive by the designated time due to unavoidable reasons, please notify the Musangsa office or the person in the temple with whom you have been communicating ahead of time. It is essential that you arrive by 6:00 PM at the latest.

Exit:

March 30 (Sun), 12:00 PM (after lunch)

Orientation:

March 29 (Sat), 8:00 AM, for the inexperienced participants.

Retreat Fee:

₩150,000 (This fee is based on arrival on Friday or Saturday and departure on Sunday. If you want to stay extra nights, an additional ₩50,000 per night will be charged.)

Information & schedule

Application