Meditation healing center opens at Namsan temple in Seoul

The Gungminpyeong-an Seon Meditation Central Headquarters announced Thursday that it has opened a Seon Meditation Healing Center at Chungjeongsa temple on Namsan in Seoul and will begin running regular programs in July.

The center will mark its official opening with a special Seon meditation lecture by Ven. Geumgang, chair of the Seon Meditation Committee, on July 10.

The opening represents a concerted push to bring Seon meditation to a wider public, providing a space within an urban temple where anyone can experience the practice as part of daily life.

Drawing on its central location, the center plans to offer programs tailored to Seoul residents, office workers and foreign visitors. It will focus on developing tourism and wellness programs under the theme of experiencing Seon meditation in everyday life at Chungjeongsa on Namsan, with a range of instructors to ensure professional quality. Lifestyle-oriented programs — including Seon martial arts and Seon meditation sessions with pet dogs — will also be available to make the practice easily accessible.

The Seon Meditation Central Headquarters will manage operations directly, stationing a full-time dharma instructor and an administrative staff member on site and handling monthly instructor recruitment, promotion and registration for each program. Programs for foreign visitors will be run by a dedicated instructor recruited separately, with promotion linked to templestay offerings. The center will also provide individual venue rental for Seon meditation program operators.

"Seon meditation is a mind-cultivation practice carrying thousands of years of Korean Buddhist wisdom, and the most vital answer to the mental health challenges facing people today," the headquarters said. "We hope this space will become a place where anyone can easily encounter Seon meditation in the heart of the city and find rest for both body and mind."

Ven. Deogun, head monk of Chungjeongsa, said the temple was glad to be part of the Seon meditation initiative and pledged its full support and participation.