October 17 at Bongsunsa Temple in Namyangju
A Seon meditation festival with your dog
A serene temple setting where forest views and lotus blooms come together
A traditional temple with a long, storied history
A lotus field where you can enjoy the beautiful summer bloom season
A great location to pair with nearby attractions like Gwangneung and the Korea National Arboretum
The Bongsunsa Seon Meditation Festival is back again this year
There was a Seon Meditation Festival at Bongsunsa Temple in Namyangju last September 2024,
and I was so happy to hear that it’s returning again this year
that I wanted to share it with you right away.
This year, it will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026,
as a Seon meditation festival designed for visitors with dogs,
so if you’re planning a fall outing with your pup,
this is definitely one event worth checking out.
At Bongsunsa Temple in Namyangju, you can meditate with your dog
and enjoy a variety of hands-on experiences too,
and honestly, I’d love to make some sweet fall memories there with Sawol.
Bongsunsa Seon Meditation Festival schedule
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Bongsunsa Temple, Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
This October,
at Bongsunsa Temple in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea,
you’ll find a lineup of special programs to enjoy.
A special fall day at Bongsunsa with your dog
Visiting Bongsunsa Temple in autumn is already a treat,
and simply strolling through the temple grounds surrounded by nature feels wonderfully relaxing.
It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down.
This time, at lakeside Bongsunsa, you can explore the temple with your dog
and join meditation sessions along with a range of other programs,
which makes it feel like a very different kind of temple visit
from the usual.
Whether you’re a dog owner or not, and whether
it’s your first time visiting a temple or trying meditation,
spending time together in nature through these programs can turn into
a genuinely memorable experience.
Wondering if this is only for Buddhists?
Not at all.
Everyone is welcome.
Even if you don’t have a dog!
Three featured programs
These featured programs run at set times,
so if there’s one you really want to join,
it’s a good idea to check the schedule in advance.
Mindful walking meditation with your dog
10:40 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
one-hour session
Dog yoga therapy for finding your happiest state
1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Happy pet life health talk with a veterinarian
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It’s also a great chance to hear answers to the dog health questions you’ve always had.
Three dog-friendly experience programs you can mix and match
In addition to the scheduled featured sessions,
there are also ongoing experience programs running
from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Healing pet tarot
This program invites you to reflect on your relationship with your dog
and discover emotional messages along the way,
creating a deeper bond between pet parent and pup.
You can even try it without bringing a dog.
Healing dog body deco
You’ll apply pet-themed body decorations
to get into the festival mood and create a fun, memorable keepsake from the day.
Make a prayer bead necklace for your dog
As you string each bead one by one,
you can pour your heart into it and reflect on the bond you share with your pup,
making it both meaningful
and fun to create yourself.
A Seon meditation experience that feels approachable, even for first-timers
If the idea of meditating with your dog at a temple
sounds a little unfamiliar at first,
don’t worry—there are plenty of programs designed
so both dogs and their humans can join comfortably.
From walking meditation to dog yoga therapy,
a pet wellness talk and several hands-on activities,
you can simply choose the programs that interest you most.
Walking through nature with your dog
and taking time to focus on each other
might end up being one of the best ways to enjoy this Bongsunsa Seon Meditation Festival.
On October 17 at Bongsunsa Temple in Namyangju,
enjoy the Bongsunsa Seon Meditation Festival with your dog
and make one truly unforgettable memory this fall.
