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Temples have traditionally held dharma assemblies according to the lunar calendar. Recently, however, many of them have adapted to urban lifestyles, and hold Sunday dharma assemblies. However, major dharma assemblies are still held on the day of the new moon, and assemblies are also held on the day of the full moon. There are additional special dharma assemblies throughout the lunar months, including: one for the Medicine Buddha on the 8th day of each lunar month; one for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the 18th day; and one for Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva on the 24th day.

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Seasonal dharma assemblies include: the Chilseok Prayers (the 7th day of the seventh lunar month), Ullambana (the 15th day of the seventh lunar month), and the Dongji (winter solstice) and Ipchun (first day of spring) prayers. Major Korean Buddhist holidays include: Buddha's Birthday (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month), Renunciation Day (the eighth day of the second lunar month), Enlightenment Day (the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month), and Parinirvana Day (the full moon of the second lunar month).

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The Buddhist laity cultivate their faith and practice by: attending dharma assemblies, making offerings, giving donations, volunteering services, meditation practice, reading sutras, copying sutras, reciting mantras, and doing prostrations. These activities are centered on a temple’s dharma assemblies, and sometimes they enhance their practice by participating in diverse forms of training provided by mountain temples.