Daeseung Buddhism Yangwoohoe Sambangsa, Deep Mountain Sinheung Valley Gujae Village Children's Rural Experience Event

As rural depopulation becomes an increasingly serious issue, Daeseung Buddhism Yangwoohoe Sambangsa held a countryside garden experience program in Gujae Village on July 9th. Various programs were conducted, including fish experiences at Sinheung Valley stream, treasure hunts, steaming corn at a farm, and farm tours.

Gujae Village is a small village located in Wanju-gun, situated where the clear waters of Sinheung Valley flow down deep in the mountains. The name Gujae (九宰) Village originates from the meaning "a village where nine ministers were born." Surrounded by mountains and seemingly cut off from the world, sitting at the village pavilion to cool off brings the sounds of water and birdsong. It is a place where one can fully feel the beauty of nature away from the city.

Children from the city, who still find the countryside unfamiliar, came down to play in the water at Sinheung Valley and spent time appreciating the beauty of nature while listening to birdsong. They visited the homes of Gujae Village elders, toured traditional houses over 100 years old, and experienced touching warm eggs freshly laid by chickens?various experiences not usually possible in the city. They also harvested vegetables directly from the rural garden, gaining a deeper understanding of the food that appears on our tables. The elders of Gujae Village, delighted by the renewed vitality in the village after a long time, happily gave corn and tomatoes to the children and enjoyed conversations with them.

Daeseung Buddhism Yangwoohoe Sambangsa stated, "Our purpose is to bring vitality to the elderly who feel bored with their repetitive daily lives and to provide children accustomed to city life with opportunities to broaden their perspectives and experience a community living together through countryside experiences." They added, "We will continue volunteer activities and work towards village development with new events and campaigns to protect the natural ecosystem of Sinheung Valley and create a symbiotic community with the residents of Gujae Village."