Learn meditation and help us with daily tasks at the Meditation Center in Geochang-gun, South Korea

Infos

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  Description

  Our meditation center offers a serene refuge where you can immerse yourself in the practice of cultivating Jhana (concentration practice) and Vipassana (insight meditation). Based on the framework of Early Buddhism, the center provides meditators with the opportunity to gradually experience firsthand the path that the Buddha took toward enlightenment. Meditation begins with the practice of Ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing), a method of cultivating concentration by focusing on the breath. Through continuous awareness of the breath, the mind can distance itself from worldly attachments, find rest, and gradually develop deep concentration.
  
  For those committed to continuously developing concentration and nurturing inner peace, reducing external disturbances is essential. Therefore, the meditation center has established rules, such as maintaining noble silence and abstaining from social activities. The center brings together practitioners who dedicate their lives to serious meditation, as well as individuals who take a short break from family and work to spend limited time here cultivating peace. These rules are in place to protect everyone and minimize mutual interference.
  
  The meditation center warmly welcomes meditators and volunteers who are willing to dedicate their hearts to the practice. Depending on their level of commitment, many meditators report gaining the ability to live with contentment and tranquility, learning how to protect their inner selves, and strengthening their mental resilience.
  
  Located in a rural area of Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, at an altitude of 720 meters, the center is surrounded by majestic mountains and lush natural landscapes. It offers a tranquil environment with apple orchards, grape vineyards, and vegetable gardens. Most of the vegetables used in meals come directly from the center's organic farm.
  
  Meditation is a priceless treasure. The center focuses purely on cultivating and training the mind and does not engage in any commercial activities. To enable meditators to fully dedicate themselves to developing concentration, the center provides a consistent, continuous, and ample environment for practice. Aside from voluntary donations, the center relies heavily on self-sufficiency to sustain its operations. Volunteers, long-term meditators, and the monastic community work together to maintain daily life, including food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities.
  
  We welcome you to contribute your time and energy toward maintaining the center—such as helping with kitchen duties, gardening, farming, and daily upkeep—while living and practicing meditation here. As the primary focus remains on meditation, these tasks are not designed to develop specific professional skills; rather, they are repetitive in nature, reflecting the qualities of a meditative state. Some tasks may require physical labor, and volunteers with skills in carpentry, cooking, sewing, or building maintenance are particularly needed. Since the center operates solely on donations, most daily operations are carried out by the residents themselves.
  
  While some volunteers may find repetitive work less appealing, others discover deep joy in it. In essence, the meditation center is a place to cultivate meditation practice, and for those eager to learn, this experience can be deeply fulfilling. Many volunteers return multiple times or extend their stay due to their passion for meditation.
  
  Ultimately, the center is a dedicated space for spiritual practice, requiring you to temporarily step away from external social interactions, including abstaining from the use of electronic devices. Distancing yourself from social activities and technology allows you to delve deeper into your inner world and build a calm, resilient mind. Everyone is expected to follow these guidelines to foster a quiet, harmonious environment that enriches the meditation experience for all.
  
  Volunteer Guidelines & Code of Conduct
  
  Work Assignments: Tasks at the meditation center encompass a wide range of duties, from agricultural labor to kitchen work. Volunteers are required to cooperate with the tasks assigned by the monastics and are not permitted to choose or designate specific duties.
  
  Health Transparency: Volunteers must be fully transparent about their health and not conceal any medical conditions. Concealing illnesses during the application process and subsequently requesting specific work assignments upon arrival due to medical conditions is strictly prohibited.
  
  Couples and Monastic Etiquette: Couples staying at the meditation center must strictly respect the center's rules and lifestyle. Any display of physical intimacy or inappropriate male-female interaction is prohibited.
  
  Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly forbidden anywhere on the center's premises.
  
  Rule Enforcement & Disciplinary Actions: Any behavior that remains unchanged after three reminders from the monks will be deemed a violation of monastery regulations. If volunteers engage in any of the above violations, the monastics will conduct an interview, and the meditation center will ultimately terminate their stay.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Aide dans une ferme

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Ferme

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Jardinage

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  If you are a true meditation enthusiast, eager to deeply cultivate concentration and study the Buddha's teachings, our meditation center will be an ideal place for you.
  
  For volunteers who are more inclined toward experiencing culture, learning languages, or making friends rather than practicing meditation, this is not the right place for you, as conversations and social activities are restricted here.
  
  Work Schedule Options:
  
  Work 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, with 2 days off.
  
  For genuine meditators staying for more than 16 days, we offer the option to work 3.5 hours per day.
  
  Please Follow the Rules:
  To maintain the tranquility of the center, please strictly adhere to our rules. These guidelines are designed to preserve the atmosphere necessary for meditation practice. If you have prior meditation experience, you will understand how these rules foster a harmonious environment. If this is your first time encountering this lifestyle, please carefully consider whether these guidelines align with your expectations and readiness.
  
  If you are genuinely looking for a peaceful environment to deepen your meditation practice, enjoy solitude, and connect more deeply with your inner self, we warmly welcome you to join us. However, if this is not your true purpose, this place will certainly not be suitable for you.

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  Aide

  Seasonal Activities:
  
  Spring (April – June): Spring is a season of renewal and growth. To nurture the land, you will participate in ploughing, gardening, and planting trees. Volunteers also assist in gathering wild mountain fruits and vegetables, contributing to the year's first harvests. While this season can be physically demanding, witnessing new life flourish brings deep fulfillment.
  
  Summer (July – August): Summer brings the challenges of heat and humidity, yet it is essential for our agricultural efforts. Volunteers continue with vital farming tasks and are welcome to enjoy the fruits of their labor at any time. Despite the sweltering temperatures, the majestic natural scenery and the chorus of cicadas offer a soothing embrace for mind and body.
  
  Autumn (September – November): Autumn is a vibrant, colorful season dedicated to harvesting and preparing for winter. As the landscape transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of rich hues, volunteers work together to harvest crops and plant winter vegetables, fostering a warm and tight-knit community atmosphere.
  
  Winter (December – March): Winter presents unique challenges with snow and freezing temperatures. Volunteers assist with snow removal and focus on essential indoor responsibilities. Though the weather can be harsh, the warmth of the community and the satisfaction of keeping the center running smoothly make this season truly special.
  
  In addition to farming, volunteers help support the daily lives of over 60 resident long-term meditators, including cooking, kitchen duties, and housekeeping. Specific tasks include woodworking and sewing for recycling projects, building maintenance, organizing storage spaces, moving stones, mowing lawns, weeding, and pruning fruit trees.
  
  Outdoor Tasks:
  Experience the joy of labor in nature by engaging in farming, gardening, landscape maintenance, as well as providing physical labor for construction needs. Your contributions in any aspect of the center directly safeguard and support the daily lives of all meditators.
  
  Indoor Tasks:
  Bring your dedication and hands-to-work in the kitchen by assisting with dishwashing, cleaning, and organizing. Indoor work also encompasses dormitory maintenance, crafting, sewing, carpentry, cooking, and waste sorting/recycling. Your skills and creativity play a vital role in sustaining this non-profit meditative lifestyle.
  
  Sustainability:
  As a donation-based non-profit organization, we rely heavily on the collective spirit of our community. Recycling and sustainability are integral to our operations, and your contributions in these areas are deeply valued.
  
  At the meditation center, except during winter, most of our time is spent planting trees, engaging in horticultural work, and tending to the vegetable gardens. Since the center does not engage in any commercial economic activities, yet numerous meditators and volunteers reside here long-term to nurture their inner selves together, everything relies on self-sufficiency. The fruits of our labor are shared and enjoyed by everyone.
  
  The core purpose of the meditation center is to practice meditation and cultivate the mind. One can thrive here only with perseverance and a genuine enthusiasm for learning meditation. The repetitive labor, early morning schedules, and living and working alongside the monastic community require overcoming significant external and internal challenges in the initial stages of practice. As long as you come fully prepared to learn meditation, this place will be the right choice for you.

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  Langues parlées

  Korean: Courant
  Malay: Courant
  Chinois (mandarin): Courant
  Allemand: Intermédiaire
  Anglais: Intermédiaire
  Espagnol: Débutant
  Français: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  Accommodation and Rooming:
  Private Rooms: Every volunteer is usually provided with a single room, equipped with either an en-suite bathroom or a shared bathroom, depending on availability.
  
  Retreat Periods: However, during intensive meditation retreats, you may be asked to share a room with other practitioners.
  
  Food and Dining:
  Buffet Options: Our meals are served buffet-style, offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.
  
  Minimum Stay:
  To fully immerse yourself in the experience of meditation and service, we ask for a commitment of at least 16 days (including both your arrival and departure days).
  
  Immigration Requirements:
  Before traveling to South Korea, please ensure you apply for and obtain a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to facilitate smooth entry into the country.

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  Autres infos...

  Since 2025, our meditation center has been officially registered as a Temple Stay meditation center. However, our mission goes far beyond offering Temple Stay programs—we are committed to making meditation accessible to everyone, so that more people can learn its practice and integrate its peace and wisdom into their daily lives.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Plus de 2

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