South Korea held its 3rd Bhutan Culture Day from 12–13 June at Chungjeongsa, a Buddhist temple in Namsan, Seoul. Exhibits included presentations on Bhutanese culture, tourism, spirituality, and public programs on companion animals.
The event was co-hosted by the Tourism Board of Bhutan, the Korea-Bhutan Friendship Association, and the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism’s Chungjeongsa. The theme this year was “The Real Rest You Were Looking For,” with programs introducing Bhutanese culture and the country’s approach to development and well-being.
Key events included a lecture on Gelephu Mindfulness City, a major development project underway in southern Bhutan,* an introduction to Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness framework, a Bhutanese film screening, and a tourism industry seminar. Cultural programs included Bhutanese music performances, a booth where visitors could try on traditional Bhutanese clothing, and photo opportunities featuring Bhutanese cultural themes.
The president of the Royal Buddhist Association of Bhutan, Dasho Tashi Dorji, visited the event venue. According to organizers, he attended the 3rd Bhutan Culture Day as part of a wider effort to promote exchange between Bhutan and South Korea through meetings with government agencies and companies.
A major focus of the event was Gelephu Mindfulness City, a planned special administrative region in Bhutan’s southern border area with India. The project has been promoted by the Bhutanese government as a sustainable development zone grounded in wellness, spiritual values, and Bhutan’s long-standing emphasis on Gross National Happiness.
The city is planned to be significantly larger than Singapore and is envisioned as a hub for infrastructure, transport, wellness, and new technologies, including fintech. Organizers said the project was also intended to improve regional connectivity by linking Bhutan more closely with India through future rail connections.
Coinciding with the Bhutan Culture Day, Chungjeongsa held a companion-animal program, “Accompanying Companion Animals.” The event drew participation from pet owners and visitors interested in Buddhist approaches to life, loss, and care for animals.
The event, which ran from 13–14 June, featured companion-animal activities including Zen meditation, walking meditation, lectures on healing from pet loss, talks on campaigns promoting respect for life, and a joint memorial service for the rebirth of companion animals in the Pure Land.
The temple has developed related activities under the leadership of Abbot Deokun, including its “Me & Pet” campaign. The program reflects a broader Buddhist emphasis on compassion and respect for sentient beings, while also addressing the grief experienced by people after the death of companion animals.
Chungjeongsa Temple’s mascot, a standard poodle named Kkami, also attracted attention during the event. Kkami, a former stray dog whose name means “pitch black,” appeared as a symbolic guardian of the venue and participated in temple programs, including the “Walking with Pets” activity.
The event also featured camping cars decorated with images of Bhutanese landmarks, which were used as accommodations for members of the Bhutanese art troupe. Chungjeongsa operates a “Cample Stay” program using camping cars in addition to its regular Temple stay offerings.
Organizers said the combined programs offered visitors an opportunity to encounter Bhutanese culture, Buddhist practice, and contemporary discussions on well-being, travel, and respect for life in an urban temple setting.
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has Vajrayana Buddhism as a central element of its cultural heritage, and is widely known internationally for its Gross National Happiness development philosophy. In recent years, the country has sought to balance modernization with environmental protection, cultural preservation, and Buddhist values.
Chungjeongsa, located in Seoul’s, Jung District, is an urban temple affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Established in 1980 as a military Buddhist temple for the Capital Defense Command, it is located near Namsangol Hanok Village and has become known for public Buddhist programs.
* Bhutan Launches “Mindfulness City” Project to Promote Economy and Foster Well-Being (BDG)
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The 3rd Bhutan Culture Day Hosted by the Korea-Bhutan Friendship Association Concludes Successfully (Acrofan)
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