Etiquette & cultureBy Clever Tourists · Published · Last updated
Set right in the energetic urban heart of downtown Seoul near Insadong and Gwanghwamun, Jogyesa is the chief temple and administrative headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Surrounded by modern glass skyscrapers, stepping into Jogyesa courtyard feels like entering an oasis of ancient tranquility scented with burning sandalwood incense and shaded by 500-year-old white pine trees. Whether visiting during the colorful Lotus Lantern Festival or quietly observing monks chanting inside the massive main hall, observing proper Buddhist temple etiquette ensures a respectful and meaningful cultural experience.
Unlike ultra-conservative holy sites in Southeast Asia that require full floor-length sarongs, Korean Buddhist temples do not enforce a strict formal dress police at the courtyard gates. However, modest and respectful attire is strongly expected out of deference to practicing devotees and resident monks.
Keep shoulders covered with a modest t-shirt, blouse, or light cardigan. Avoid ultra-short athletic shorts, mini-skirts, low-cut tops, and offensive graphic t-shirts. Because entering the worship hall requires taking off your shoes, always wear or pack clean socks; walking barefoot across temple wooden floorboards is considered impolite.
The main temple sanctuary, Daeungjeon, is one of the largest wooden Buddhist structures in Seoul, housing three colossal golden Buddha statues representing Shakyamuni, Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru.
When entering the hall, remove your shoes and place them neatly in the wooden shoe cubbies outside. Step through the side doors rather than the central front door, which is traditionally reserved for high-ranking monks. Step completely over the raised wooden threshold (do not step directly on top of the door frame). Inside, maintain silence, turn smartphones to silent mode, and do not walk between a bowing worshipper and the altar.
Jogyesa is world-famous for its annual celebration of Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival), recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Held every spring to celebrate Buddha Birthday (typically in May), the temple courtyard is transformed beneath a breathtaking canopy of thousands of vibrantly colored paper lanterns.
Each lantern carries personal handwritten wish tags for peace, health, and prosperity. In autumn (October to November), the temple hosts an equally spectacular Chrysanthemum Flower Festival, where hundreds of thousands of fragrant yellow, pink, and white blooms sculpt dragons, pagodas, and meditation statues across the grounds.
Visitors are welcome to participate in the traditional incense offering at the outdoor stone bronze burner. Light one or two incense sticks from the candle flame, hold them upright with both hands near your chest, gently bow your head toward the temple, and place the sticks straight into the ash bed.
If you wish to make a traditional Buddhist prostration bow (bae) inside the hall, place your hands together in the hapjang (prayer position) at chest level, kneel onto the padded mat, touch your forehead to the floor with open palms facing upward, and rise calmly.
Directly across the street from the temple entrance stands the Jogyesa Templestay Information Center, where English-speaking monastic coordinators provide information on 1-day experiential temple visits, lotus lantern craft workshops, and overnight templestay retreats across South Korea.
Beside the courtyard, visit the traditional temple tea house, where you can sip authentic Korean roasted buckwheat, wild persimmon leaf, or organic green tea (nokcha) accompanied by traditional sweetened rice crackers (hangwa).
Yes. Admission to the courtyard and main Dharma hall of Jogyesa is completely free of charge 365 days a year. Donations in the collection boxes inside the hall are voluntary.
You can take respectful photos from outside looking in, but avoid using flash photography or taking direct close-up pictures of meditating worshippers or monks during prayer sessions.
Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 6) is a 5-minute walk, and Jonggak Station (Line 1, Exit 2) is a 6-minute walk directly north along Ujeongguk-ro.
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