Published: October 29, 2024, 13:32
Im Seunghye yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr
Boli and her owner visited Mireuksa Temple, a Buddhist temple in North Chungcheong Province, for a temple stay experience. (Son Young Jae)
Bori is an adopted dog who is about 6 years old. He is from the notorious Erinwon shelter in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, which was shut down by law enforcement authorities in 2019. The person running the shelter was arrested on suspicion of dog abuse, and the shelter was called “the gates of hell for dogs.” Many dogs were starving to death, large dogs were killing and eating weaker smaller dogs, and newborn puppies were dying of malnutrition and infections.
Bori, who survived in such a traumatic environment for at least four years before being adopted in 2021, is a dog with a variety of behavioral issues, including being overly cautious and easily startled by sudden movements or noises. and developed psychological characteristics. He is always on the lookout for danger and cannot interact with strangers or even other dogs. This made it difficult for this reporter, who eventually became Bori’s foster parent, to take him on holidays or even to the dog park.
Although it was a slow process, Bori has adapted to the real world outside of his cage. He gradually began to open up to humans. At least I no longer get scared when people walk by. I felt like Bori was ready for some interaction, but not enough to scare him.
Just then, there was a request for a one-day stay at Mireuksa Temple in North Chungcheong Province for journalists who could bring their dogs with them. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for shy Bolli’s first playdate.
Bori wears a Buddhist robe, a rosary around her neck, and a lotus lantern hat as she enjoys the temple stay experience at Miroku Temple. (Im Seung Hye)
On a recent media trip to Mirokuji Temple in Jeongpyeong County, about eight reporters brought along their furry friends: Aron, Saebom, Shuebi, Toto, Sarang, Hyeri, and Bori. Buddhist temple stays are a popular program for both locals and foreign travelers visiting South Korea, as they offer the opportunity to meditate and relax in the tranquility of a monastery.
Upon arrival, about a two-hour drive from central Seoul, the reporters and their furry children received gray vestments and rosaries. At first, Bori was nervous about being around other people and dogs. However, while most of the participants refrained from speaking loudly and kept their distance from others, they also tried hard to make sure their dogs were well-behaved inside Buddhist temples. Calmness soon returned.
The program is named “Demple Stay,” which is a newly coined word that combines the cute Korean slang for puppies, “Deng Daeng Gi,” and “Temple Stay.” It is jointly sponsored by the Korea Tourism Organization, Jeongpyeong County, and Ban Life, a platform for travelers with dogs.
Ban Life founder Lee Hye-mi said he started the business in 2019 after noticing the demand from people with pet dogs to do more with their pets. The program, which began earlier this year with a break during the summer due to the intense heat, required Li to knock on the doors of various Buddhist temples, and Maitreya Temple gave her the go-ahead.
Ven. Jeonggak, the head priest of Mireuksa Temple, also has a dog named Hwaeom. The chief priest’s pet was also a stray dog that had wandered into the temple looking for food about four years ago. She first tried to see if it had an owner, but then realized it was a stray dog. The two become “best friends”, Ven. Jeonggak gave him the name Hwaom, which means Buddha’s disciple, monk’s dog.
“There are a lot of monks who have dogs, but they never let them in the main prayer room because they think it should be sacred,” Venn said. . Mr. Jeonggak. “However, nowhere in Buddhist teachings does it say that dogs are not allowed in prayer halls; they are only allowed if they show loving kindness to all living things, including animals. Life is equal and precious, and temples should be open to all living things, not just humans.”
Bori, Central, and Ven. Mireuksa temple chief priest Jeong-gak (Lim Seung-hye) sits on a cushion
At Mireuksa Temple, all companion dogs are allowed to run around, take a nap in the prayer room, and even sit on the jongak seat.
“You don’t want to sit on a hard wooden floor, right?” It made a lot of sense,” Jeong-gak said at the chapel where participants gathered after lunch to learn how to perform the Buddhist 108 bows with their dogs. Inside, I found Bori sitting on a golden cushion and said with a big smile on my face.
“It wasn’t you owners who brought your dogs here today, but your dogs who brought you here today,” Jogak told participants during tea time. “I hope that today will be a meaningful turning point in your life.”
“I was very disappointed in people, but Heom comforted me,” she added. “Dogs can read people’s minds, which humans cannot. So are we really better than them?”
Daengple Stay is a monthly program open to anyone with a pet dog. The program started in early summer, but after three editions had to be canceled due to the heat. It started again in October. Ban Life says tickets go on sale monthly through the app and sell out in about 30 seconds.
During the program, participants will have the opportunity to experience temple food and listen to Ven stories. Write Jeonggak’s words and wishes on hanji (traditional Korean paper) and burn it. You can also take a selfie with the dog.
Participants will learn how to make lotus lanterns at Maitreya Temple. (Im Seung Hye)
Yang Soo-bae, director of the Sejong and Chungcheongbuk province offices of the Korea Tourism Organization, said the organization has seen the tremendous popularity of the dog temple stay program and plans to expand the dog temple stay program starting from Chungcheongbuk province. spoke. local tourism industry. ”
There are no restrictions on dog size or breed. A maximum of 2 dogs are allowed per person. Owners must bring their dog’s treats, lunch, and leash. The participation fee is 79,000 won (approximately 5,700 yen) for one person and one dog, 119,000 won for two people and one dog, and 159,000 won for two people and two dogs.
Written by Im Seunghye (yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr)
