I visited the Heinsa temple in the first week of May 2016. I participated in temple stay program - 1 night 2 days.

I was expecting guided meditation and stuff, but we were allowed to explore and do everything on our own.

It would have been great if it was more organised, guided and if we were informed of the tea with monk timing(I Missed that) and about the meal timings etc.

You are supposed to bow whenever you encounter a monk. Sometimes the elderly monks are friendly and has a small talk with you while you explore the temple.

The temple is famous for its Tripitaka Koreana - the whole of the Buddhist Scriptures carved onto 81,350 wooden printing blocks which have withstood the test f time. The temple has housed them since 1398.

Not sure if they allow the pictures of Tripitaka Koreana. I was told off by the Security. The temple has a stone lantern, a three story stone pagoda in front of the courtyard of the Main hall (Daejeokkwangjeon).

There is a bell pavilion in the first courtyard - consisting of The “Four Instruments” of a Buddhist temple. This include a bell,  a drum, a wooden fish and a cloud plate symbolically used as elements for broadcasting Dharma to beings of the earth(bell), beings who are dead (drum), beings of the waters (fish), and beings of the air (cloud).

Do not forget to visit the Hill of scholar there. It is nothing but a fir tree next to the monastery. This was  a cane used by a famous scholar who spent his last days in seclusion at Heinsa.

I got up early and joined the prayers on the main hall.

The temple was decorated for Buddha purnima which was happening the week after. It was beautifully decorated. I was able to take some cool pictures.

It is one of the oldest temples in South Korea - more than a thousand year old. So it is a must visit place according to me.

The breathtaking view of the mountain around Heinsa and the silence itself is more than enough to give you a calm soulful experience. When you are at Heinsa, you are one with nature.