A Buddhist temple in South Korea has launched a matchmaking retreat to help tackle the country’s low birthrate. The Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare started the blind date program in 2023, and this round drew a record 4,225 applicants for just 20 spots.
Retreat Activities
The retreat features various activities, including trust-building walks, group tea, and strolls through the woods. Participants are randomly paired and get to know each other in a temple setting.
The government expects South Korea’s population of 51.8 million to shrink by almost a third by 2072. However, there are hopes that the country’s demographic crisis might be starting to ease after successive increases in the birth rate over the past two years.
The organizers behind the blind date weekend see their work as more than matchmaking. They hope the journey becomes a time to reflect on the low birthrate issue and to think about alternatives for the future.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
