Essential Reading for learning “Why” of Korean Temple CuisineHow to Practice Buddhism through FoodHarmonious, Compassionate, Intentional Practice of CookingMany years ago, Venerable Dae-Ahn arrived at Guemsuam Temple on Mount Jirisan, determined to live quietly and privately as a monk, away from the world. Instead, her life unfolded into that of a “culinary monk” and teacher of the art of Korean Temple Cuisine.

Finding the heart of her spiritual practice in foraging wild edibles and mindfully preparing plant-based meals in the temple kitchen, Venerable Dae-Ahn found great joy in sharing the wisdom and healing medicine of temple food for the mind, body, and spirit. Heart-Stirring Medicine of Korean Temple Food: Wisdom & Recipes from a Zen Buddhist Monk takes readers through Venerable Dae-Ahn’s temple garden and pantry as she shares the healing, nourishing, healthful ingredients the land offers.

A guide for how to practice Buddhism through food, she offers an up-close glimpse into her kitchen as she prepares dishes that heal the body and invigorate the soul. Informed by her Doctorate in Nutrition and years of experience leading the kitchens of her temple and Balwoo Gongyang, a Korean Temple Food restaurant, Heart-Stirring Medicine of Korean Temple Food is essential reading for discovering the mission behind Korean Temple Cuisine, showing us how to feed ourselves in harmony with the earth, transforming the simplest ingredients into vibrant meals and flavorful medicine and food into a spiritual practice that offers gratitude and respect to all life.

A gorgeous full-color book full of wisdom for establishing a harmonious, compassionate, and intentional cooking practice and featuring fourteen recipes from Korea’s most mindful kitchen (including ingredient substitutions for global readers), Heart-Stirring Medicine of Korean Temple Food is an invitation to rethink not only how you stock your pantry and fill your plate but your entire relationship with food. .