Ven. Hosun and ‘Kuni,’ a Bongseonsa Temple mascot (Image courtesy of Bongseongsa Temple)
SEOUL, Sept. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – In an era where nearly one in four South Korean households includes a furry family member, a unique event is set to bring together pet owners and their canine companions for a day of meditation and mindfulness.
The “Seon Meditation Festival with Companion Dogs,” scheduled for September 29 at Bongseongsa Temple in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, marks a novel approach to the growing field of pet therapy and owner well-being.
This inaugural event, part of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism’s “National Happiness (Healing) Project,” aims to blend traditional Korean Seon (Zen) practices with modern meditation techniques.
The festival comes at a time when stress and social conflicts are on the rise in South Korea, offering a unique opportunity for pet owners to find peace alongside their four-legged friends.
“With over 10 million pet owners in Korea, we saw an opportunity to explore the true value of mindfulness through the bond between humans and their companion animals,” said a spokesperson for the festival organizing committee.
The “Seon Meditation Festival with Companion Dogs” (Image courtesy of Bongseongsa Temple)
The day-long event, planned and operated by Mind Design, will feature a variety of activities designed to engage both pets and their owners.
Visitors can participate in healing pet tarot readings, face painting, and the creation of prayer bead necklaces for dogs. A flower offering ceremony for pets’ well-being adds a touch of Buddhist tradition to the proceedings.
One of the festival’s highlights will be a mindful walking meditation with dogs, led by Ven. Hosan, the head monk of Bongseongsa Temple.
This session promises to guide participants through breath awareness exercises while strolling with their pets around the temple’s scenic lotus pond.
For those seeking a more active experience, a “dog yoga” therapy session will be conducted by Yoon Jung-won, president of the Korea Dog Yoga Association.
Meanwhile, health-conscious pet owners can attend a vegan snack-making class for dogs, blending temple cuisine principles with pet nutrition.
The event will also address more serious topics. With the growing emotional attachment to pets comes the increased risk of pet loss syndrome when animals pass away.
To this end, the festival will include expert lectures on coping with the loss of a pet and promoting a healthy companionship culture.
“This festival isn’t just about having fun with your dog,” the organizing committee emphasized.
“It’s an opportunity to elevate our perception of companion animals from mere pets to cherished living beings, and to contribute to fostering a healthier culture of pet ownership.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
