At a Buddhist temple in downtown Seoul, a group of about 40 foreigners were riveted to an instructor. After a brief introduction about the technique and principles of Buddhist contemplation or zen, they sat stiffly with their legs crossed and engaged in meditation.

They were attending the "Zen Introduction Class" at Chogye-sa Temple in downtown Seoul, the headquarters of the nation? largest Buddhist order recently.

Sponsored by the Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO), the class was aimed at helping foreigners interested in Buddhism find their true self through zen meditation or methods.

Foreign monk, Musim ("no mind" in Korean) of the International Zen Center at Hwagye-sa Temple in northern Seoul, conducted the three-hour class.

Two principles of zen were discussed, namely clearing your mind and keeping the state of "don? know."

"Look at yourself and try to reach ?on?-know mind, Then you can attain wisdom," Musim told the class.

"Return to point zero with ?on?-know mind, You can? attain wisdom you seek if you are busy with your own ideas."

He said that Zen of Korea, which has preserved the original zen meditation for over l,000 years, is easier to practice, compared with the transcendental meditation in southeast Asia which is represented by extreme absorption in mantra or words of spiritual power.

The class shows the importance of Buddhism in Korean culture in the midst of efforts to develop it as a key element to Korean tourism.

"I hope that this program will help increase the scope of foreigners interest in the Korean cultural heritages," said Peter Jang, director of the domestic tourism development department of KNTO.

Josie Newby from the United States, one of the participants, said, "We work everyday with our minds full of thoughts so that it? not easy not to think. But this class helps me find a road to solve such problems and enhances my interest in zen meditation. If possible, I will try it again."