Korean Temples Explained: Architecture, Symbols & Customs
Korean Temples are absolutely stunning, but it is important to know how to behave and what to expect before you go in to a temple. We included our favorite Buddhist temples in the country and some tips on how to have the most memorable experience. We mostly experienced Theravada Buddhism while traveling through South East Asia in countries like Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. However, Korean Buddhism is slightly different as Theravada. Korean Buddhism follows the Mahayana school, but incorporates elements from various Buddhist schools, including Zen (Seon in Korean), Pure Land, and esoteric traditions. Korean Buddhism focuses in compassion and the Bodhisattva path, meditation, mindfulness, and a direct experience are central to achieving enlightenment.
Korean Buddhist temples are centers for meditation, education, and community. Normally, they are located in natural settings to promote harmony with nature. We experienced a temple stay in Golgulsa Temple and we learned about meditation, prostrations, breathing techniques and Sunmudo martial arts. We recommend it to everyone who might be interested in knowing how monastic life is like.
READ | Balancing Body and Mind: Our Templestay at Golgulsa Temple
Temple Conduct
Dress modestly: Avoid sleeveless tops and shorts.
Remove your shoes before entering the Buddha’s Hall buildings.
Greeting: put your palms together in front of the chest and bow down.
NEVER touch a monk or nun.
Smoking and drinking is not allowed.
Do ‘Cha-su’ when walking around the temple: Put the right hand across the top of the left with your right thumb locked under the left, and place them near the lower abdomen.
At the Buddha’s Hall:
Go in on the right or left, but do not enter from the center. This entrance is ONLY for nuns and monks.
Bow when entering the temple and in front of the Budhha statue, as well as when encountering a monk or nun.
Be quiet and respectful: Temples are places of worship.
Photography is usually allowed, however, check for signs and assess if it’s appropriate first
Stay at the back or sides for praying or meditation, as the area directly in front of the Buddha statue is reserved for monks and nuns.
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The Art of Worship: Understand a Korean Temple
A Korean Buddhist temple is a peaceful place where people go to connect with their spirituality. Surrounded by nature, the temples are often adorned with colorful buildings, Buddha statues, and beautiful gardens. Inside, the atmosphere is calm and quiet—perfect for meditation or prayer. The atmosphere feels serene and reflective, offering a sense of peace and harmony. Whether by the mountains or near the sea, each temple has a unique, calming energy.
This serene setting is deeply rooted in Korea’s history, dating back to the Three Kingdoms period (1st–7th century), which included Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. During this time, Buddhism was introduced, with monks building temples, teaching, and offering spiritual guidance. Many temples and pagodas from this era still show its influence today.
Korean Buddhist architecture is known for its simple elegance and harmony with nature. Temples are built using natural materials like wood, emphasizing balance and symmetry. Bright colors—red, blue, green, yellow, and white—add meaning and beauty, while curved roofs, like bird wings, protect against snow and rain. Lotus motifs are found in temple artwork, lanterns, and carvings, symbolizing spiritual beauty and growth. The lotus flower represents enlightenment, as Buddhists strive to rise above suffering and reach a higher state of understanding.
You will also see pagodas on the courtyard, which are often built as memorials to honor the Buddha or monks and are believed to protect the temple and surrounding area from negative forces. Their multi-tiered design symbolizes the journey to enlightenment, with each level representing progress toward spiritual awakening. The structure reflects harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity, emphasizing balance in the universe.
In Korean Buddhist temples, the fish and drum are important symbols, often associated with rituals and teachings and you will find them at the courtyard next to each other. The fish, often depicted as a wooden gong called a moktak or carved into temple decor, represents alertness because fish never close their eyes. It reminds practitioners to stay mindful and awake in their spiritual journey. The large temple drum, or beopgo, is struck during ceremonies to summon beings in all realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld) to hear the teachings of Buddha.
Once you are inside of the Buddha’s Hall, you will see worshipers doing prostrations in a thin cushion in front of the Buddha. Korean prostrations are a way people show respect and devotion in Buddhism. It’s a movement where you bow deeply to the ground in front of a Buddha statue or sacred place. It’s done to express humility, gratitude, and a wish to let go of ego or selfishness. If you want to try it, do it respectfully, without placing your feet on the cushion, as others will place their forehead on it.
Here’s how it’s done simply:
Stand with hands together.
Bow and kneel, placing hands and forehead on the floor.
Lift your hands slightly (symbolizing offering your heart), then stand up again.
It’s often repeated 3 or more times as a sign of deep respect and focus. experience. During our temple stay, we completed 108 prostrations, and it was truly a profound experience.
Our Favorite Korean Temples
Jogyesa Temple, Seoul
Located in the heart of Seoul, it is a peaceful escape from the busy city. As the center of Korean Zen Buddhism, it’s known for its colorful halls, a giant golden Buddha, and a 500-year-old tree in the courtyard. During Buddha’s Birthday, the temple glows with thousands of lanterns, creating a magical, joyful atmosphere. It’s a beautiful place to find calm and connect with Korean culture.
OPEN | 4:00 am to 9:00 p.m.
Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju
Known as the “Temple of the Buddha Land,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its stunning stone pagodas, Dabotap and Seokgatap. The temple complex is vast, and with its museum and scenic surroundings, you can easily spend 1-2 hours here, depending on how much time you spend taking photos. We particularly enjoyed our visit in autumn, when the colorful fall leaves added an unforgettable charm. You can also visit the nearby Seokguram Grotto to complete your experience.
OPEN | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan
The views from this temple are breathtaking. It is a beautiful temple by the sea, offering stunning views of the ocean. Unlike most temples in the mountains, it sits on a rocky coast where you can hear the waves and feel the fresh sea breeze. The 108 steps leading down to the temple are a peaceful walk, and the golden Buddha overlooking the water adds to the sense of calm and harmony.
OPEN | 4:30 a.m. to 7:20 p.m.
Yakcheonsa Temple, Jeju
It is a stunning and peaceful place dedicated to healing and kindness. Built in the 1980s, it features a huge main hall with a tall golden Buddha and beautiful paintings, creating a calm and awe-inspiring atmosphere. The temple is known for its natural spring water, believed to have healing powers, which you can drink or take home. Surrounded by lovely gardens and lotus ponds, Yakcheonsa is a perfect spot to relax, reflect, and feel connected to nature.
OPEN | 24 hours
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