The center also offers retreats lasting from a week to three months. While not to everyone's taste, the extended experience is a rare chance to peek into the traditional Korean lifestyle. The regime is rigorous. Guests must maintain total silence and cut all communication with the outside world. Only the traditional monastery attire of gray pants and jacket is allowed, and beds are bare futon mats on the floor.
Food is plain, vegetarian and served with elaborate ceremony at formal meals.
A typical evening dinner comprises rice, soup and a few vegetable dishes. Everything that's served has to be eaten. For those looking for simple peace and quiet rather than deep meditation, there is the picturesque Gil Sang Sa Temple on Pukhan Mountain, also north of the capital. A former restaurant, the building does not share the open-plan design of traditional temples but rather has modest rooms jutting out on rocky ledges. One chamber is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to visitors.