How a Naksansa Temple Stay Taught Me to Let Go: Finding Inner Peace by the East Sea

 

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If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the relentless noise of life, wondering how to truly empty your mind, this journey is for you. 

In the quiet corners of Naksansa Temple, I discovered a profound sense of 'Ansim'—a Korean word for inner peace and reassurance—through the wisdom of the waves. Here is my story of finding calm in a busy world.

Why I Chose Naksansa: Following the Wisdom of Venerable Beopsang

In October 2024, I left the relentless noise of the city behind and headed to Naksansa, a thousand-year-old temple perched on the cliffs of Korea’s East Coast (Yangyang). 

The autumn air was crisp, and the temple was bathed in a serene, golden light. To be honest, I had always been curious about temple stays, but never felt a definitive "pull" to experience one—until I encountered the teachings of Venerable Beopsang. 

His wisdom opened the door to Buddhism for me, changing my perspective on life entirely. The decisive moment happened on a Sunday after attending a Dharma talk at Daewonjeongsa, the temple where Venerable Beopsang resides and shares his teachings. 

On my way back, following a friend’s suggestion, I visited Beopjusa Temple to witness the evening chanting. 

As the sound of the great temple bell (Bumjong) resonated through the entire slopes of Mt. Songnisan, I was deeply moved by a sense of majesty and holiness that I had never felt before. 

At that moment, I knew I had to experience a temple stay for myself. While I initially thought of starting this journey at Beopjusa, I took a moment to reflect on the timing. 

Since winter was fast approaching, I decided to first visit Naksansa, a place where the mountains meet the sea that I have always loved. 

I wanted to feel the ocean breeze one last time before the cold set in. (I eventually completed my stay at Beopjusa the following April.)

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The Art of Doing Nothing: A Rest-Oriented Healing Program

During my stay, I chose the “Rest-oriented” program. Unlike the more rigorous practice stays, there were no rigid schedules. 

Beyond a brief orientation on temple etiquette, my time was entirely mine. Like the drifting autumn clouds above the temple, I allowed myself to just exist. It was a rare luxury to be the master of my own clock. 

A Sacred Awakening: Pre-dawn Chants at Hongryeonam Hermitage

At 3:00 AM, while the world was still wrapped in October’s cool darkness, I joined the morning chanting (Yebul) at Hongryeonam Hermitage. 

There were only three of us attending the pre-dawn chanting, aside from the monk. Together, we read the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. 

Since it was my first time, I simply followed along with the others, not yet fully grasping the meaning of the words. 

After a while, I felt a deep longing to meditate quietly while listening to the sound of the ocean, so I stepped outside. I leaned against the railing in front of Hongryeonam Hermitage and gazed out at the dark night sea. 

At that moment, the 'Ocean (Original Nature, Truth)' and the 'Waves (Defilements)' that Venerable Beopsang always spoke of in his Dharma talks came to life. 

The sea and the waves before me were no longer the same as they were before I had encountered his teachings. 

After gazing at the sea for a while, I sat down on the steps in front of Hongryeonam and closed my eyes, meditating to the rhythmic sound of the waves.

When I eventually opened my eyes and looked toward the hermitage, I was overcome with emotion. 

The sound of the wooden fish (moktak) and the chanting drifting from the hall, combined with the soft, warm glow of the temple lights, felt so sacred and sublime. 

Tears began to stream down my face, moved by a feeling I cannot quite put into words. It was a scene of such exquisite beauty and holiness that I couldn't even bring myself to capture it in a photograph.

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Ocean Meditation: Learning the Wisdom of Letting Go from the Waves

Early in the morning, I sat quietly before the Haesugwaneum-sang (the Great Buddhist Statue of Avalokitesvara). I closed my eyes and meditated to the distant sound of the ocean waves. 

It was a rare and precious experience—a moment of complete stillness and solitude that only those staying at the temple can truly embrace before the crowds of tourists arrive. 

I realized our emotions are very much like those waves. We don’t have to stop them or control them; we only need to let them flow back without holding on. 

This realization brought a quiet and profound sense of relief. This kind of ocean-based meditation is commonly experienced during temple stays in Korea, especially at coastal temples like Naksansa, where the natural environment becomes part of the practice itself. 

Connecting Beyond Words: Sharing Dharma Wisdom with Global Friends

One of the most unexpected gifts of this stay was meeting fellow travelers from all over the world. Despite our different nationalities, we were all there for the same reason: a shared search for inner peace. 

We shared a warm conversation for a while about the wonderful and scenic places Korea has to offer. 

Also, I introduced them to the teachings of Venerable Beopsang, a Dharma teacher whose wisdom has deeply guided my own path. 

I shared some of his talks, and seeing their eyes light up with recognition was a quiet reminder that the search for truth knows no borders. 

In that moment, we were no longer just visitors—we were spiritual friends, walking the path together. 

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The Gift of Silence and 'Ansim'

Perhaps the most beautiful part of a temple stay is experiencing the sanctuary after the crowds have left. 

Walking slowly through the silent grounds, reading a book at the temple’s wooden café, and feeling the fresh sea breeze on my face—these moments carried a deep sense of Ansim. 

I left Naksansa not with more things or answers, but with a heart that felt noticeably lighter, quietly carrying the vastness of the October sea within it. 

Much of what I experienced during this stay became clearer through the Dharma talks of Venerable Beopsang. 

I listened to his teachings throughout my temple stay, and they gently shaped the way I met each moment—without forcing understanding.

For those who feel drawn to a deeper reflection on letting go and returning to oneself, I’ll leave one of his talks here.

"May all living beings be healthy, happy, and prosperous. May they be safe, secure, and free from all dangers and enemies."