Our Campus · Ongdalsam

Where Your Child Lives, Learns, and Grows

At 800 meters above sea level, deep in a forested mountain range, our campus is not a retreat students visit — it is where they live each day. A quiet, safe, intentional place designed for learning, reflection, and healthy growth.

A Campus in the Mountains

A place shaped by twenty-three years of intention

Our campus grew from a vision first set down in 2003 — to build a learning home where young minds can rest, focus, and reach further. What began as a dream is now the everyday setting of BDS: forest air, mountain stillness, and a rhythm that protects the conditions for real growth.

800 m
Elevation above sea level — clean mountain air, cooler summers, and quiet surroundings
23 years
Of continuous work to shape this place into a home for learning and inner growth
4 seasons
Of active programming — every season offers its own way of learning and living
Four Foundations of Daily Life

How each day is built

Students at BDS do not just attend classes — they live a structured day built on four foundations that support focused learning and steady personal growth.

I · REST

Rest

The day begins gently. Students arrive at calm surroundings and wind down from the speed of the outside world, so that real focus and real sleep are possible.

II · MOVEMENT

Movement

Daily body practice — breathing, walking meditation, martial arts, and outdoor activity — keeps the body capable and the mind clear.

III · MEDITATION

Meditation

Guided meditation is a daily practice, not an occasional class. Students learn to focus, to notice their emotions, and to return to stillness before and after studying.

IV · INWARD PRACTICE

Inward Practice

Reading, writing, quiet reflection, and honest conversation. These are treated as essential skills for university, work, and life — not extras.

A Day on Our Campus

The rhythm of a day at BDS

A typical day moves from quiet beginnings into focused academic work and then back into reflection. Meals, movement, and silence are treated as parts of the education — not interruptions to it.

7:00 AM
Morning meditationA gentle start — breath, posture, and focus before the day begins.
8:00 AM
BreakfastFresh, organic temple-style meals shared together in the dining hall.
9:00 AM
Academic classesSmall-group instruction in English — discussion, writing, science, and the arts.
12:30 PM
Lunch & forest walkA midday reset — real food, real air, and time off the page.
2:00 PM
Electives & movementSports, arts, martial arts, and talent programs chosen by each student.
5:00 PM
Reading & reflectionQuiet time to read, write, and think before the evening.
6:30 PM
DinnerA shared meal in the community — unhurried and plant-forward.
7:30 PM
Evening study & closing meditationFocused study with mentors, followed by a short meditation to close the day.
The Seven-Day Rhythm

A theme for every day of the week

Each day of the week carries a guiding theme — a Chinese character with a long tradition of meaning. Together they shape a weekly rhythm that helps students move between study, movement, stillness, and community.

Uprightness
Acting with honesty
Stillness
Settling the mind
Movement
Healthy action
Pausing
Stopping to notice
Observation
Seeing clearly
Harmony
Living with others
Clarity
A clean, clear mind
Where Students Live

Homes and spaces built for learning

Every space on our campus has a purpose — to rest the body, to feed it well, to focus the mind, and to bring students together. Parents are welcome to visit and see each one in person.

Green Ondol House

Traditional warm-floor residences — small, clean, and designed for real rest. Students sleep here in calm, safe rooms supervised by residential staff.

White Sky House

Open, light-filled living spaces overlooking the forest. Reading, small conversations, and quiet recovery take place here every day.

Dining Hall

Temple-style meals — fresh, seasonal, and mostly plant-based. Meals are shared slowly, together, as part of the daily practice.

Meditation Hall

A quiet hall for morning meditation and evening closing practice. Students learn here what it means to settle the mind.

Library & Reading Rooms

A collection of books in English, Korean, and other languages. Quiet, warm, with long hours for reading and research.

Forest Paths & Outdoor Spaces

Walking trails, outdoor practice areas, and open ground for movement, sport, and seasonal events.

The Place

A look at our campus

A small window into the setting where BDS students spend their days. Families are always welcome to visit and see it in person.

For Parents

What matters most, for families

Sending a child to a boarding campus is a meaningful decision. These are the things we believe matter most — and that we work on every day.

Safety and care

Residential staff live on campus. Rooms are supervised, health is monitored, and families are kept informed of their child's wellbeing.

Healthy daily life

Fresh mountain air, temple-style meals, real sleep, and a balanced rhythm of study, movement, and rest.

Focused learning

A campus away from urban distraction, small classes, and mentors who know each student by name.

Open to families

Parents are invited to visit, to observe a day on campus, and to speak with teachers and residential staff directly.

Come see our campus in person

The best way to understand BDS is to stand in the forest, share a meal, and watch a day unfold. We warmly invite families to visit and meet us.

Schedule a Visit Contact Admissions