Program to feature Gurye Hyangje Julpungnyu performance, Monk Deokje's tea talk and a meeting with novelist Jeong Ji-a
Hwaeomsa Temple on Jirisan mountain will again host "Hwayamong," its intimate late-night humanities program blending tea, literature, music and contemplation, with two sessions scheduled in July and August.
The temple — the head temple of the 19th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, led by Abbot Ouseok — will hold the program under the theme "A Breeze Through Jirisan, a Cup of Tea Under the Stars," on July 18 and Aug. 22.
Each midsummer session of Hwayamong will open with a pre-show performance of Gurye Hyangje Julpungnyu, a nationally designated intangible cultural heritage, followed by a tea talk by Monk Deokje and a literary conversation with Jeong Ji-a, a novelist from Gurye.
The first session, on Saturday, July 18, centers on "The World of Tea," led by Monk Deokje.
Limited to 25 participants, the session will explore the meaning of tea culture today and reflect on why modern people have grown distant from tea. Topics include the history and spirit of tea, tea as a spiritual practice, the mindset of drinking tea, and tea meditation at a mountain temple.
The Saturday, Aug. 22 session will feature a meeting with novelist Jeong Ji-a, open to 30 participants.
Jeong, 60, was born in Gurye, South Jeolla Province, and completed a doctoral program in creative writing at Chung-Ang University.
She began her literary career in 1996 when her fiction was selected for the Chosun Ilbo's New Year Literary Contest. Her published works include the short story collections "Happiness," "Spring Light," "Conversation in the Forest" and "Enemy of Capitalism," as well as the novels "Daughter of a Partisan" and "Father's Liberation Diary."
One of South Korea's most celebrated writers, she has received numerous awards including the Kim Yu-jeong Literary Award, Simhun Literary Grand Prize, Han Musuk Literary Award, Yi Hyoseok Literary Award, Oh Yeongsu Literary Award, Kim Jeonghan Literary Award, Manhae Literary Award, No Gun Ri Peace Literary Award and the May 18 Literary Award.
At this year's Hwayamong, Jeong will share literary reflections on her hometown of Gurye, family and history, and the stories of people and life, engaging participants in an in-depth conversation.
Participants will also receive healthy bread made with rye and whole wheat from Mongwol Bakery, a well-known local shop in Gurye.
By weaving together locally sourced food and a mountain temple humanities program, the event aims to go beyond a simple nighttime gathering and serve as a warm cultural exchange that supports the local Gurye business community.
Registration opens Thursday, June 18 and runs through July 3 on the Hwaeomsa Temple website, on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmed participants will be notified individually.
Hwayamong draws applicants from across the country each year and frequently closes early due to high demand.
Applicants who registered for last year's Hwayamong but did not show up will not be accepted this year.
Seong Gi-hong, the temple's head of public relations and planning, said Hwayamong first launched in the summer of 2023 to wide acclaim. "It is a special nighttime program at Hwaeomsa where visitors can set aside the pace of daily life for a moment and recover a sense of inner calm amid the resonance of nature and traditional culture," he said.
Abbot Ouseok said the temple has long been a space for practice, prayer, comfort and healing. "I hope this year's Hwayamong will also offer many people a time of quiet rest and warm welcome — a small light kindled in a weary heart," he said.
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