Hosted by Korea Heritage Service

Organized by Korean Heritage Agency and Korean Cultural Center New York in collaboration with the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism of the Jogye Order.

◾ DATE & TIME

[Part 1 | Korean Temple Food Experience & Food Meditation led by Venerable Jeong Kwan Sunim]

Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
* Number of participants: 16

[Part 2 | Tea Conversation with Korean Buddhist Monks]

February 13, 2 PM~2:30 PM / 3 PM~3:30 PM
February 14, 2 PM~2:30 PM / 3 PM~3:30 PM
* Number of participants: 20 per session

◾ VENUE: Bueok at Korean Cultural Center New York
(122 E 32nd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016)

◾ Admission: Free (Pre-registration is required)

RSVP now

※ Participants will be selected by lottery from among those who submit their applications by February 7, and the final selection results will be sent individually to the email address provided at the time of registration on February 9.

Two Distinct Programs Exploring Korean Buddhist Culture

This page introduces two distinct cultural programs—Korean Temple Food Experience & Food Meditation and Tea Conversation with Korean Buddhist Monks (Chadam)—each offering a unique way to experience Korean Buddhist culture through mindful practice.

Both programs are presented as part of a distinguished cultural initiative hosted by the Korea Heritage Service, co-organized by the Korea Heritage Agency and the Korean Cultural Center New York, and presented in collaboration with the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism of the Jogye Order.

Each program requires separate registration and is conducted independently.

Korean Temple Food Experience & Food Meditation

The Korean Temple Food Experience & Food Meditation is a distinguished cultural program highlighting Korean Buddhist temple cuisine inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

Rooted in centuries-old monastic culture, Korean temple food reflects a way of living that values simplicity, seasonality, mindfulness, and harmony with nature. Prepared without artificial additives or excessive seasoning, temple cuisine emphasizes the natural integrity of ingredients and a balanced, attentive approach to cooking.

Led by Venerable Jeong Kwan Sunim, one of the most respected practitioners of Korean temple food, the program introduces participants to the philosophical foundations underlying this culinary tradition. Through guided preparation and tasting, temple food is presented not merely as cuisine, but as a living cultural practice that integrates ethical awareness, attentiveness, and spiritual reflection into everyday life.

The program also incorporates food meditation, guiding participants to slow down and engage all the senses—taste, aroma, texture, and breath—transforming a shared meal into a moment of presence and reflection.

◾ Menu

Spring-Gathered Wild Greens (Namul)
Stir-Fried Dried Zucchini (Autumn Harvest)
Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Rice Syrup
Dried Persimmon Salad with Gochujang

* Allergy Note: Sesame, Soy, Rice, Korean Black Raspberry(Bokbunja)

Tea Conversation with Korean Buddhist Monks (Chadam)

Tea Conversation with Korean Buddhist Monks (Chadam) is a gentle and welcoming program that invites participants to experience Korean Buddhist culture through the shared ritual of tea and conversation.

In Korean Buddhist tradition, chadam—literally meaning “tea conversation”—is a practice of slowing down, listening with care, and connecting through quiet dialogue. Rather than a formal lecture, this program unfolds as an open and relaxed gathering.

Guided by Buddhist monastics from Jingwansa Temple, participants explore themes such as mindfulness, meditation, temple life, and everyday wisdom rooted in Buddhist practice. The experience is accessible even to those with no prior knowledge of Buddhism.

◾ Menu

Lotus Leaf Tea, Traditional Candied Fruits and Nut (Jeonggwa)

* Allergy Note: Walnut

◆ About Venerable Jeong Kwan Sunim

Venerable Jeong Kwan Sunim is a Buddhist nun and a designated master of temple cuisine within the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Internationally recognized for her profound philosophical approach to food, she was selected as one of the “Plant-Forward Global 50” by the Eat Foundation and the Culinary Institute of America, and has been referred to by The New York Times as “The Philosopher Chef.”

Through her lifelong dedication to temple food, Venerable Jeong Kwan Sunim has offered influential insights into sustainable and mindful eating practices rooted in Buddhist philosophy. Her approach to eco-conscious cuisine reflects traditions cultivated over centuries, emphasizing respect for life, balance with nature, and thoughtful consumption.

She gained global recognition through her appearance on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Season 3, which was also screened at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival in the documentary series category. Since then, her teachings on temple food and the philosophy of mindful eating have been shared with audiences around the world, bridging cultural heritage with contemporary discourse on sustainability and conscious living.

◆ About Venerable Seonhaeng Sunim

Venerable Seonhaeng Sunim is a Buddhist monastic of Jingwansa Temple. She will lead the Tea Conversation (Chadam) program, guiding participants through a shared tea experience and reflective conversation rooted in Korean Buddhist tradition.

◆ About Venerable Seongdon Sunim

Venerable Seongdon Sunim is a Buddhist monastic of Jingwansa Temple. As a facilitator of the Tea Conversation (Chadam) program, he will engage participants in quiet dialogue and reflection on mindfulness, temple life, and everyday practice.

◆ The Korea Heritage Service

The Korea Heritage Service is a government agency dedicated to protecting and passing on the Republic of Korea’s precious history and heritage. It systematically safeguards and researches tangible heritage—such as royal palaces, Buddhist temples, and historic sites—as well as intangible heritage, including traditional crafts, rituals, and performances, along with Korea’s beautiful natural heritage. The agency also works to convey the value of Korea’s national heritage to future generations, sharing the significance of diversity beyond the boundaries of past and present, and of Korea and the wider world.

◆ The Korea Heritage Agency

The Korea Heritage Agency is a public institution that helps Korea’s heritage live and breathe in contemporary life. Through a wide range of events and exhibitions utilizing national heritage, as well as the development of cultural products, the agency introduces Korea’s history and traditions in an accessible and engaging way. It also supports international exchange and educational programs, enabling international audiences and younger generations to directly experience and understand Korean cultural heritage, while connecting its value to everyday life and the future.

◆ Visit Korean Heritage Campaign

The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency jointly carry out the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign to introduce Korea’s national heritage to the world. The campaign offers a range of initiatives, including National Heritage Visit Routes, curated around World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the World Heritage Festival, which presents diverse programs utilizing UNESCO World Heritage sites; and National Heritage Media Art, which brings the stories of national heritage to life through a variety of digital technologies. Going beyond simply viewing heritage sites, the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign offers the gift of living history. Join the campaign and begin a more accessible and engaging journey through Korea’s national heritage.

◆ The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

In 1955, the Jogye Order was firmly reestablished as a celibate order. On April 11, 1962, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism was officially established with three main goals: to train and educate, to translate sutras from traditional Chinese into modern Korean, and to propagate the dharma. And between 1947 and 1949, a group of monks organized a reform movement at Bongamsa Temple advocating “Living According to the Teachings of the Buddha.” This provided an opportunity for establishing the fundamental principles and traditions of the Jogye Order, as well as officially sanctioned ceremonies.