Sign up opens on Monday the 27th of November, 8am

FOM members who are living in Singapore and have not been on a FOM Study Tour in the previous two years (from the date of the upcoming Study Tour) have priority during the first week of the registration period. After the first week, those who have been on a Study Tour in the previous two years and overseas members may register if there are spaces available.

Join this Study Tour to South Korea to catch the special exhibition organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in collaboration with the National Museum of Korea titled Tree and Serpent, Early Buddhist Art in India.

Buddhism began with the teachings of Sakyamuni, born in the 5th century BC beneath the Himalayan Mountains in northern India. Over centuries, it spread across the Deccan Plateau to southern India. In this new landscape with distinct climate and customs from Sakyamuni's homeland, Buddhism embarked on a fresh narrative, encountering vibrant divines. Thriving amidst South India's rich natural backdrop, Buddhism nurtured a flourishing array of fresh and intricate artworks. These South Indian Buddhist artworks, filled with enigmatic yet mystical narratives, are making their way to the National Museum of Korea. Spanning from the 2nd century BC, a time when Shakyamuni's presence was symbolized solely by trees (Bodhi trees) and footprints, to the 4th century AD when he assumed the familiar human form seen in statues, these extensive objects offer a captivating journey through time.

This exhibition encompasses 61 pieces loaned from 12 distinguished museums in India, including the National Museum of New Delhi.

Buddhism was introduced into Korea in 372 CE and was adopted as the official state religion in the Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje kingdoms during the Three Kingdoms Period. The Silla kingdom used Buddhism to unify the peninsula.

Under royal patronage, many temples and monasteries were constructed. During the Unified Silla Period, historical sites such as Bulguksa Temple and Sokguram Grotto, and other relics were constructed in Gyeongju, the capital of Silla.

We will visit two UNESCO sites of strong Buddhist importance: Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto on the slopes of Mount Tohamsan. This Buddhist complex was founded in the 8th century under the Silla kingdom.

We will also visit Haeinsa Temple's Janggyeong Panjeon (literally means the 'Stamp of the Sea Temple'), a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for housing the Buddhist scriptures of Tripitaka Koreana. 

In addition, we will experience Korean Buddhism with a one night stay at a temple.

Trip cost is approximately S$4,600 per person, which includes flights on economy class, 4 star hotel accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, all entrance fees, meals (except one dinner), tips to guides, travel insurance, and a contribution to the FOM general fund, but excludes personal expenses such as visa fees, telecommunications, laundry and meal and beverage extras.

Single room supplement is S$700.

PLEASE NOTE:

Air tickets once confirmed are non-refundable. Hence, cancellations will incur penalties and we cannot promise that there will be any refund depending on the terms and condition, so please register only if you are sure you can travel.

Information and calls on further payments will be sent out later with a detailed itinerary to registered participants.

This is a Study Tour, and every participant is expected to do a presentation and attend the meetings which will take place in February and March 2024.  

Any questions please contact tour leader, Alice Chua, at alicecsp0@gmail.com.

You may sign up by clicking on the red Registration Tab that appears below the box describing the Study Tour you wish to register for.

Please use your FOM membership email and password to sign up, and read and virtually sign the Release and Responsibility Statement. There is no need to print and send it to the office but you may keep it for your reference. 

After you sign up and you submit a copy of the first page of your passport (B&W or colour) to the Tour Leader, you will receive an email confirmation as well as a link to make the payment for the deposit. 

You can make the deposit payment either via PayNow, PayPal or bank transfer.  Please note that PayPal incurs a fee (between 3% to 8% depending on the credit card used) which you will have to bear, while PayNow is fee free. PayNow to FOM's UEN number: T04SS0218E.  If you elect to pay by bank transfer through your bank's online banking platform or mobile app, please contact the FOM Office to request FOM's account details.

You are requested to pay this deposit amount within 3 days of getting the link to pay, in order to complete your registration for the tour. Please note since October 2023 cash and cheques are no longer available as payment options (website updates are in progress). 

Note: On all tours, participants are confirmed on a first-come basis, based on the order in which the registrations are done online and the passport copies and deposit payments are received. A Health & Safety Questionnaire is sent to registrants by the Tour Leader and is required to be filled in by all participants to ensure their fitness and suitability for the tour. This Questionnaire must be filled and returned to the Tour Leader before the first meeting. FOM members who are living in Singapore and have not been on a FOM Study Tour in the previous two years (from the date of the upcoming Study Tour) have priority during the first week of the registration period. After the first week, those who have been on  a Study Tour in the previous two years and overseas members may register if there are spaces available. 

*If not too certain how to use the new activity sign up system, click here for full information.