Yongju Temple to Revive Royal Buddhist Ceremony "Gukhang Mucha-hoe" Starting from the 16th

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) announced that the 'Gukhang Mucha-hoe Ceremony in the Year 2570 of the Buddhist Calendar (2026)' will be held from the 16th to the 18th for three days at Yongju Temple, the chief headquarters of the Second District of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

The Gukhang Mucha-hoe is a Buddhist ritual called "Suryuk Mucha Pyeongeung Jaeuiy," through which Buddhist teachings are equally shared with all sentient beings and blessings are offered for happiness and stability. Yongju Temple continues this tradition based on the heritage of Suryuk Dojang at its predecessor temple Galyang Temple and historical records documenting that the royal court held the Mucha-hoe ceremony in 1790 (the 14th year of King Jeongjo's reign).

This event will be conducted in the manner of reviving the tradition of the Gukhang Mucha-hoe that the royal court held during the Joseon era under King Jeongjo. The main ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. on the 18th within the Yongju Temple grounds. In particular, it will be attended by Imperial Grandson Yi Jun, the sixth-generation descendent of King Jeongjo, imperial family members, and the Yongju Temple monastic community.

At 10 a.m. on the 16th, a memorial service will be held at the National Treasure Cheonbo-ru pavilion for Venerable Seong Hyo's Seonhwajeon (Memorial Hall) with the theme "Small Comfort for People Living Today." At 1 p.m., a seminar titled "Seminar for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Designation of Yongju Temple's Gukhang Mucha-hoe" will be held at the Yongju Temple Stay building.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 17th, an experience event "Tofu Play! With the Royal Court!" will be held within the Yongju Temple grounds. Based on Yongju Temple's historical heritage as a "Joposa" (tofu temple) that produced and supplied tofu used in royal rituals, traditional tofu-making demonstrations, court costume experiences, and photo zones will be provided.

Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong Special City stated, "I hope this Gukhang Mucha-hoe ceremony will serve as an opportunity to widely publicize the historical value of Yongju Temple, where royal and Buddhist traditions are harmonized." He continued, "I hope citizens will participate in various traditional cultural programs, enjoy our cultural heritage up close, and together reflect on the meaning of sharing and equality contained within it."