Some 40 participants, including foreign envoys and their families from a dozen countries, took part in a special temple stay trip on Friday and Saturday that included a scenic train ride through the mountainous environs around Buncheon Village in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province.

Dubbed the “V-Road Trekking Festival,” Herald Corporation invited members of the diplomatic community on the two-day, one-night adventure to enjoy the crisp Autumn weather, and to introduce Korean Seon Buddhism, more commonly known by its Japanese variant of Zen Buddhism in the West.

“This event brings together some 40 people of many different backgrounds, national origins and religions. Indeed, we are presenting almost every continent in the world here,” said Robert Maxian, deputy chief of mission at the Slovak Embassy. “Although we are of very different backgrounds and come from different countries, (the event) successfully brings together our love for great weather, sport and religion.”

The V-Train’s nearly all-glass carriages allowed for stunning vistas of the riparian and mountainous landscapes, but the overnight temple stay at Chookseosa Temple nestled in a remote mountain became the highlight of the trip for at least one diplomat.

“I thought the trip provided a unique opportunity to learn more about Buddhism and see up close Buddhist rituals, cuisine and the practice of meditation,” said Levante Pallos, commercial counselor at the Hungarian Embassy.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)