The Restaurant Ceremony In Yeongsanjae Ritual, Seoul, Korea

Taking a meal is very important training way in Buddhism.
I heard several times that the dinner manner in Buddhism was not easy from my friend who had participated in the temple stay.

Having a meal was an important ceremony in the Yeongsanjae Ritual.
I didn’t expect the luncheon was a part of the yeongsanjae ritual, more over, it looked like very important part of the ritual.

Before beginning ceremony, they told that taking a photo of the scene of the monks eating meal in the stage was strictly prohibited.

The name of the ceremony was the restaurant ceremony.

At first, they introduce the monks and the nuns attending this ritual.

And they sat at the stage and meals were prepared for distribution.

The bowls for the meal were distributed.
One set of the bowls were composed of 4 bowls, one for the rice, one for the stew and 2 for the side dishes.
As you know, all monks and nuns must be strict vegetarians.

There were complicated processes before having a meal

Dances with drum

Dances with Bara, Buddhist music instrument

Music and songs

2 nuns were sitting at the center of the stage.
They danced slowly, that scenery reminded me of the Japanese traditional dance.
Their dance seemed to have specific meanings.

The process of the restaurant ceremony was so complicated, and it took so long time.
Nuns dance was the most impressive during the restaurant ceremony

Finally all meals were distributed.

It was already past 1 pm.

After the restaurant ceremony, more than 4 hours ceremony was scheduled.
The Yeongsanjae ritual was performed all day long.

I could not stay longer. I was hungry and exhausted.
I left later part of the ceremony for next mission.