Spiritual cultivation in Daesoonjinrihoe: gongbu (공부), daily prayer(평일기도), weekly prayer(주일기도), spiritual training(수련)

Gongbu (공부)

Gongbu is a specifically timed devotional incantation ritual held at the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex which hasten the opening up of the coming Earthly Paradise reciting incantations at certain places and times in a specified way. Gongbu is divided into sihak, sibeop, which are different ways to chant incantations in specifically designated places and in accordance with designated methods.
Gongbu, the most important form of spiritual cultivation, is performed by a team of 36participants who take turns devotedly reciting certain incantations for 24 hours without a break. It has been carried out since the Summer Solstice of 1991 and continues into the present day.

Gido (기도)

Gido (prayer) is the practice of reciting prayerful incantations at designated places or at home at designated time. It is divided into daily prayer and weekly prayer. The daily prayer is practiced at 1 am, 7 am, 1 pm, 7 pm everyday whereas the weekly one is practiced at 5 am, 11 am, 5 pm, and 11 pm on gab and gi days.


🔺 gab and gi days : these days alternate with each other every five days according to the traditional East Asian concept of a week.

Spiritual Training

Spiritual Training refers to chanting the Tae-eul Mantra without a designated place or time.


Chiseong (Devotional Offering)

Chiseong (Devotional Offering ) is a ritual ceremony which is carried out in an elaborate and collective manner. It conveys one's gratitude with utmost sincerity for divine grace and for the protective actions of the Great Deities of Heaven and Earth including Sangje who take care of human beings. Chiseong inclues actions such as bowing, prayer, and chanting. The participants maintain their utmost sincerity and propriety throughout the ceremony. Chiseong only truly concludes after the participants have finished partaking in the sacrificial food and drink together.
Devotional Offerings are held on the dates of birth and passing of Kang Jeungsan and Jo Jeongsan and of major religious events (for instance, the day when Sangje was enshrined at Yeongdae) in the history of the movement, as well as on dates related to seasonal divisions, especially the Winter solstice, the Summer solstice, and the beginnings of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Most Devotional Offerings are performed at Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex.


*Yeongdae : the most sacred shrine on the fourth and highest floor of Bonjeon (the main building).