Conference Venues
This conference will be held at the COEX Convention Center in Seoul. We will also be frequenting Bongeunsa Temple, a beautiful temple located opposite COEX. The paper presentations, workshops, dharma talk, and cultural performance will be held at COEX. The morning meditation sessions will be held at Bongeunsa Temple, where temple food experts from all over the country will also be gathering to provide breakfast and lunch for participants for the duration of the conference.
About Seoul
We are proud to invite you to Seoul, the capital city of South Korea with more than 500 years of rich history. Once the capital of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), it has since expanded and changed greatly with the modern development of the country. Home to K-Pop, great food, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you will be able to experience both the old and the new in this iconic city. Seoul is also well known for its highly efficient public transportation which greatly enhances the accessibility of the city’s many attractions. With its extensive subway system, taxis, and many buses that run in between, you can reach the conference venue from virtually anywhere in the city.
COEX
The COEX Convention Center has hosted some of Korea’s most significant events, conferences and exhibitions. Onsite facilities include three five-star hotels, Asia’s largest underground shopping mall, and a city airport terminal, ensuring that all business, entertainment and shopping needs can be met under one roof. Its capacity, precise business infrastructure and prime location are the key elements in selecting COEX as the conference and exhibition venue for the 18th Sakyadhita International Conference 2023. The Grand Ballroom on the first floor of COEX will also be the center of various activities throughout the conference, such as a special exhibition on the life of Buddhist nuns, traditional tea ceremonies, Buddhist film screenings, and art exhibitions.
Bongeunsa Temple
Situated in the city center next to COEX, Bongeunsa Temple is considered one of the largest Buddhist temples in Seoul along with Jogyesa Temple. Founded by State Preceptor Yeonhui during the Silla Dynasty, the temple has a rich history of more than 1,200 years. It is a very significant temple in the history of Korean Buddhism, having played a huge role in revitalizing Buddhism in the Joseon dynasty. Today, Bongeunsa Temple is actively involved with the local community and works to promote Korean culture both domestically and internationally through various programs such as Templestay.
Korean Bhiksuni Association Hall
Beopryongsa Temple, located in the Korean Bhiksuni Association Center, is a site of practice and teaching not only for Buddhists but also for local residents. The grand Buddha Hall, Manbul-jeon (the Ten-Thousand Buddha Hall), is the pride of Beopryongsa Temple. The Jijang-jeon (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Shrine) and the Gwaneum-jeon (Avalokitêśvara Bodhisattva Shrine) can also be found in the same building. Shaped like a Prajna Dragon Ship majestically sailing towards the shore of enlightenment, the Korean Bhiksuni Association Center serves as the main headquarters for Korean bhiksunis today.
Getting to the Venue
The venues for this conference (COEX, Bongeunsa Temple, the Korean Bhiksuni Association Hall) are all easily accessible by subway (buses may be more convenient in some cases). If you have any questions on getting to these venues from your place of accommodation, please feel free to contact our secretariat.
COEX
Line 2 Use the passage directly connected from exit 5 or 6 to Coex mall through the Millennium Plaza.
Line 7 Take exit 2 and walk straight for 20 minutes on foot. Access Coex Mall through the ASEM Square.
Line 9 Take exit #7 and use the direct passage connected to Asem Plaza to enter Coex Mall.
Bongeunsa
Line 7 Walk straight for 20 minutes on foot from Cheongdam station exit 2.
Line 9 Take Bongeunsa station exit 1 and use the direct passage connected to Bongeunsa.
Bhiksuni Association Hall
B. 401, 402, 461, 4419(Irwon Station)
C. 333, 401, 402, 461, 3219, 3413, 4419(Irwon Station)
