​HBMLP 2025

Program Overview and Objectives

The objective of the program is to promote the understanding of Buddhism by exposing participants to the daily life, practice, and theory of Buddhism within a traditional Buddhist monastic setting.

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The Woodenfish HBMLP provides international participants with a first-hand experience of the lifestyle, training, and rituals of contemporary Buddhist monastics. Moreover, it includes academic lectures and discussions in order to provide the participants with historical and doctrinal background for understanding the Buddhist experience.

 

The primary goals of the program include:

• Offering participants a chance to personally experience Buddhism as it is practiced in modern-day Asia.

• Providing courses on Buddhism and Asian culture taught by Buddhist monastics and lay scholars.

• Introducing participants to the concepts and practices of Humanistic Buddhism.

• Experiencing and reflecting on Buddhist monastic discipline and traditions.

• Exposing participants to Asian culture and language.

• Cultivation of the mind through meditation.

 

Program Content

 

Key elements

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• Training in Buddhist monastic customs and practices such as sitting meditation, ethics, and liturgy.

• Introductory courses in various aspects of Buddhism, such as history, philosophy, etiquette, rituals, Humanistic Buddhism, Korean Buddhism, etc.

• Cultural workshops with experienced artists. In previous years we have offered workshops in classical music, tea ceremony, kungfu, taiji, calligraphy, and other traditional arts.

• Communal activities and chances to interact with monastics and lay people in the monastery.

• Daily participation in essential routine activities within a Buddhist monastery.

• A five to seven-day silent meditation retreat.

• A cultural tour of the surrounding countryside and important historical sites. Cultural tour will be from July 26th-28th visiting Andong Confucian village and Seoul.

• All activities will be conducted in English.

 

The details of the program are due to change to better

accommodate the needs of the participants and better fulfill

the program objectives. The content described here is based

on previous years’ programs and is not meant as a detailed

description of the 2025 program.

 

The WMLP is divided into three main segments:

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Segment I (2-3 weeks) –
Orientation, Monastic Lifestyle & Classes

This part of the program begins with an orientation to the monastic lifestyle:  group assembly; appropriate greetings to monastics, teachers and other monastic residents; shrine, meditation and dining hall etiquette; dormitory rules; and basic standards of Buddhist monastic ethics.  The students will be exposed to similar disciplinary expectations as the monks and nuns of the monastery.

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Morning classes cover a wide range of Buddhist subjects. These classes discuss both early Buddhism and Asian Buddhism as well as modern Humanistic Buddhism. History and doctrine will be the main focus. The classes will provide an overview as well as in-depth study. The classes are meant to provide participants with opportunities to ask questions and initiate discussions. The morning classes will have an academic focus and will be taught by academics.

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Afternoon sessions focus on applied Buddhism and traditional culture, such as calligraphy, tea ceremony, or various musical instruments. Some afternoons will also feature additional meditation instructions and practices, and /or community service such as cleaning, cooking, dining hall service and so on.

 

In the evenings, group discussion will be held or senior monastics will give talks on their areas of expertise.

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There will be half-day or whole day breaks where participants can rest. 

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An example of a typical day:

4:30 AM                 Wake-up Call

5:00 - 6:20 AM       Movement Class/Morning Meditation

6:30 - 7:00 AM       Breakfast

7:30 - 10:30 AM     Academic Class

11:00 - 11:30 PM    Lunch 

11:30 - 1:00 PM     Personal Time

1:00 - 2:00 PM       Meditation

2:00 - 3:30 PM       Workshop/ Cultural Classes/ Community Service

5:00 - 5:30 PM       Medicine Meal (Dinner)

6:00 - 7:00 PM       Dharma Talk/ Group Discussion

7:15 - 8:00 PM       Evening Service (Vespers)

8:00 - 9:00 PM       Personal Time

9:00 PM                 Lights Out

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Segment II (5-7 days) –

Chan Silent Meditation Retreat

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With the basic monastic etiquette and lifestyle

in hand, the students will now be prepared to

enter the Day Chan Meditation Retreat. The

retreat will be led by monastics and other

meditation specialists. It is held in complete

silence, and involves alternating sessions of

sitting, walking and standing meditation. The

culmination of the retreat is a "three steps, one       

prostration pilgrimage" in the vicinity of the monastery.

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The discipline will be somewhat more demanding, but the

students will by this time be familiar with the routine and

mentally ready for more intensive meditation. The retreat

will be supervised by experienced staff.

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Segment III –
Cultural Tour to the Buddhist Sacred Site

This segment includes visits to temples and other important sights. Some of it will be conducted in a group, some will be free time. Minor expenses for entrance and food might occur. Details about the culture tour will be provided on a later date.

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Accommodation

Room and board at the temple will be provided free of charge to participants for the duration of the program. Students will live in guest housing on the monastery grounds. Most meals will be taken in the main dining hall with the assembly of monks and nuns, and students will be taught proper monastic dining etiquette. Due to the intensive nature of the program, dependents (spouses, children, and/or partners) will not be able to accompany participants.

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COST

Room and board are generously sponsored by the donors and members of the host temple. Students will live in dormitories or shared rooms on the monastery grounds. Most meals will be taken in the main dining hall with the assembly of monks and nuns, and students will be taught proper monastic dining etiquette. Due to the intensive nature of the program, dependents (spouses, children, and/or partners) will not be able to accompany participants.

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• Thanks to the generosity of our donors, every accepted student will receive a scholarship that covers room & board, tuition, transportation, and some fees during cultural tours. (estimated value $7000)  

• Participants are responsible for any travel expenses to and from the program (i.e., flight, visa, etc.) as well as personal expenses during the cultural tour.

• Application Fee: There is a $10 (USD) application fee for all the applicants, this fee is non-refundable. 

• Supplies Fee:There is an additional $250 (USD) supplies fee. This will be applied towards the costs of two sets of individually tailored uniforms (these can be taken home) as well as the use of other personal items. To be paid after acceptance to the program. 

• Deposit: There is a $200 participation deposit to be given in cash upon arrival day at the temple. This will be returned to participants at the end of program. If participants leave early from the program this will not be refunded.

• Administration Fee: A $250 (USD) administration fee applies to non-current college students. This fee also helps subsidize the cost of airfare and stipends for our volunteer staff. It is due after acceptance into the program.

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Fee Waiver:

• For currently enrolled college students, a waiver is available for the administrative ($250) fee. Students interested in receiving this waiver will first need to submit a current academic transcript along with their application materials. More information regarding how to submit these materials is available on the application form.

• For ordained Buddhist monastics, an additional waiver is available for the supplies fee ($250) and administrative ($250) fee. In such a case, the applicant will be responsible for bringing their robes and will not receive the Woodenfish uniform.

 

Refunds & Cancelation 

• Request for refunds due to cancelation must be submitted before May 31st as uniforms and accommodations are individually prepared. 

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College Credit (Optional)

Whittier College (Los Angeles, California) will cross-list the Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program in its course offerings. The undergraduate level course is called Phil 307 Chinese Buddhism: Philosophy and Practice and will give 3.0 credits. Participants are able to enroll in this course and upon completion of the program, can transfer the credits from Whittier College to the academic institution they attend. Contact us at  hbmlp@woodenfish.org for information on application procedures and fees.

 

Application content and submission

A complete application consists of the following:

• Statement of Purpose: Explain your qualifications and motivation for participation in the program, and list the benefits the program will provide to your personal, religious and academic development. This is an important part of the application and we ask the applicant to spend some time on this. Successful statements are generally 300 - 500 words. The statement will be submitted in the application form.

• Undergraduate and/or graduate transcript(s). If an official transcript cannot be easily obtained an unofficial transcript is acceptable. If you graduated more than 8 years ago, this is not needed. The transcript should be sent to applications@woodenfish.org.

• A short recommendation email from your advisor, professor, employer, colleague, or a Woodenfish alumni will also benefit your chances of admission, however, it is not required. This should be sent to applications@woodenfish.org.

 

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Eligibility and Selection

We accept applications from people regardless of religious background, race, or country of origin. Applicants from diverse academic disciplines and religious backgrounds are encouraged to apply. While a majority of participants are working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree, we encourage anyone with an interest in Buddhist practices to apply. Most of our participants are between 18 and 40 years of age. With special admission for those who are over 40 if you have some form of meditation experience/practice and healthy to deal with intensive daily activities during HBMLP.

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Applications will be reviewed by a panel of monastics and staff members. In the committee's evaluation, emphasis will be placed on personal motivation and how the experience with the program can benefit your future goals, both professional and personal. 
 

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Additional Information

The Woodenfish Foundation is not responsible for securing visas for participants, and each participant should confirm specific requirements for traveling to South Korea from their home country.  We are unable to provide letters for visa purposes. The host temple may provide a letter on a case-by-case basis and at their discretion if given ample time- please request this in a separate email to HBMLP. Please note that since the Covid pandemic, residents of some countries are currently banned from traveling to South Korea (this currently includes all PRC passport holders).  Please verify the current status of your home country, visa eligibility, and passport validity before applying.

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• Food:

All meals served in the monastery are Buddhist vegetarian and may be predominantly Buddhist vegan. This means the exclusion of alliums such as garlic, onion, leeks, and scallions. Some temples also may avoid ‘strong flavor’ such as chili in their cooking.  Meat, fish, and alcohol products are strictly prohibited on the monastery grounds. While food is cooked with care and attention to health and flavor - cooking style and flavors may be different from what you are used to and require flexibility.

Meals cannot always be adjusted for those with food allergies or special dietary needs. While labeling of certain allergens might be possible we cannot ensure consistency. Wheat and other gluten-based products, soy, and peanuts are staples in most monasteries. 

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• Monastery Etiquette:

The life of monastics (and those in training) is marked by simplicity, acceptance, modesty, and an awareness of interdependence. It is not always easy or slow but the results can be rewarding as we learn to relate to ourselves and others more mindfully in a communal setting. Monastic discipline is a structure designed to help us self-reflect. When attachment and aversion arise we have an opportunity to investigate those emotions from the perspective of the teachings as individuals with a group impact.

Participants are required to observe the Five Precepts (basic lay Buddhist ethics) while on the monastery grounds.

• Do not kill

• Do not steal

• Do not lie

• Do not engage in sexual or romantic conduct

• Do not consume intoxicants (alcohol, recreational drugs, cigarettes, etc. Nicotine patches are allowed.)

 

• The temple venue is a religious monastery housing monks and nuns; participants are guests in the monastics’ home. Be expected to act and speak appropriately and modestly at all times in this environment. We expect you to not understand all manners, cultural norms, and etiquette- mistakes and cultural faux pas will often be made and feedback will be kindly given for our collective learning.

 

• Participants are not required to shave their heads nor wear monastic robes as usually expected of monastics-in-training programs. Participants will have the option of shaving their heads after one week, depending on how conservative the monastery is on this matter regarding lay people.

 

• Monastic life is structured: routines and schedules. At times, this might seem senseless and annoying personally or excessively rigid. They may also change abruptly. It might be reassuring and freeing. All activities are done as a group, with personal accountability to the schedule. This means showing up in advance, being mentally/physically prepared, lining up, standing in formation, waiting silently, for meals and classes. Monastics in training act as ‘one body’. What one person does can impact the entire group. This experience aims to promote personal responsibility and awareness of the impact of one’s actions, continued mindfulness of one’s motivations and mental states, as well as autonomy in practice. This training acts as a mirror of the mind and gives us chances to practice and refine ourselves.

 

• Privacy is limited.  You will be with other participants for nearly 24 hours each day every day.  There are no full ‘days off’ or ‘free days’. There is personal time that can be used to nap, read, chat, go for walks, shower, clean, etc. There are more loose and fun outdoor and classroom activities. Sleeping arrangements are modest and dormitory style. Expect to wake up together, study together, eat together, practice together, and go to sleep at the same time.

 

• Personal Care

Participants are responsible for bringing their personal care products, and appropriate and modest summer clothing (non-revealing and muted color clothing) for arrival to/departure from the monastery and any excursions where uniforms would not be worn but with the presence of monastics or the program. There is ample time during the day for personal hygiene. As we live in close quarters regular bathing, washing, etc. is expected. Please bring and use unscented personal products.

 

• Technology

Participants are also asked to limit their use of technology as much as possible: this includes iPods, laptops, cell phones, etc. Communication with friends and family at home should also be kept at a minimum and in appropriate areas where other participants and monastery hosts will not be disturbed. There is no communication/technology use during the Silent Retreat. If there is an emergency access is of course available.

 

• Academic/Religious Nature of the Program

This program is primarily scholarly and anthropological in nature, and all applicants are welcome, regardless of cultural/academic background or religious beliefs.  (In fact, we frequently have students who are devout Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, etc.)  This is not intended to be a "conversion" program, lead you to become Buddhists, monastics, or promote any teacher/denomination.  However, it is an immersive program in Buddhist religious culture- which is notably focused on praxis. 

 

• Out of respect for our monastic hosts, please be aware that participants are expected to fully participate in all activities, including chanting, bowing, prostrations during the pilgrimage, attending dharma talks, observing etiquette, etc. None of these activities will “convert” you, come with lifelong obligations, come with expectations of renouncing your faith/culture/personal beliefs, or turn you into a monastic. Further religious commitments in Buddhism are always voluntary and should be individually requested. The program lasts one month and aims to allow you to temporarily “take on” what it might feel like to be a monastic while doing an intensive study of Buddhism in theory and practice.

 

• Staff are always available to help you navigate the experience and contextualize the practices and cultural differences. Not all staff are Buddhist and some come from different Buddhist or religious or non-religious backgrounds. We encourage you to ask your questions during Q&A time, reflect, and question what you don’t understand while embracing that the program will unfold over a month and you aren’t expected to “get everything” on day one. When you return home you’ll have an authentic experience of lived Buddhist monastic practice and study to reflect on.

 

• Lectures and lecture styles will be varied. Completing the recommended reading before the program will help you get the most out of the lectures. Some may be more elementary or advanced and we try to keep in mind the backgrounds of the students. While there is no grading or tests, we do hope you participate and engage in the classes as this will enrich the experience for everyone. 

 

• Cultural classes and events are also varied and may range from arts to local history, to guests sharing life experiences, hands-on skills, town hall meetings, tea meditations, open Q&A, talks on classic texts (sutras), etc. We try to keep this portion as diverse as possible.

 

• It is impossible to cover the whole experience of the program but hopefully, this is enough to allow you to self-select if this program is appropriate for you at this time. ​

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Contact

• For more information on Woodenfish and any questions or concerns not covered in our FAQ, please contact us at hbmlp@woodenfish.org.

• Follow us on Instagram: woodenfish_hbmlp

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