Welcome

The Kwan Um School of Zen in Europe, with its 50 centers and groups throughout Europe and the Middle East, and hundreds of members, welcomes all who wish to practice with us and attain their true nature through Zen meditation following the teaching of Zen Master Seung Sahn.

On our website you will find everything you need to know about how to contact your nearest local Zen Center or group, our teachers, practice and tradition, future Zen retreats, and other resources for members.  Below are the latest announcements of activities and news.

26th January

New book: Zen Life, Moment Life

A new book by and about Zen Master Wu Bong, 'Zen Life, Moment Life', has just been produced by the Kwan Um School of Zen in Europe.  The 200 pages contain many dharma talks by Zen Master Wu Bong, along with appreciations of him and his teaching by his students, and several of his famous jokes and stories.  The whole book is in English.  We are sure that many of our students throughout Europe and worldwide would love to read 'Zen Life, Moment Life', and perhaps own their own copy, as the retail price of €10 is quite reasonable.  Further information.

Contact your local group leader or abbot if you wish to order a copy.  We aim to make sure that even the smallest Kwan Um Zen group in Europe has access to one copy, so that every student has a chance to enjoy and benefit from this wonderful new book.

12th January

Opening Ceremonies for New Zen Centers

Congratulations from the whole Kwan Um School of Zen to three of our national sanghas on the opening of new practice locations and centers in Europe.

The Kwan Um School of Zen in the Czech Republic opened the new Zen Centre at Vrazne in the Moravian highlands with an opening ceremony on 31st December 2011, with 25 people attending, led by Zen Master Bon Shim, their guiding teacher.    Link to www.vraznezen.org

The Kwan Um School of Zen group in Hamburg is moving to a new practice location, TYIAO-Zentrum Hamburg, Arnoldstrasse 77, 22763 Hamburg-Ottensee, and will hold an inauguration ceremony on 12 January 2012 at 7 p.m.

The Kwan Um School of Zen in Vienna has moved to a new location and will hold a Zen Opening Ceremony on  Wednesday January 18th at 7 p.m. at the Meditationszentrum „der mittlere weg“, Biberstraße 9/2, 1010 Wien.    Link to Wien website

10th August

YMJJ at Won Kwang Sa


Jo Potter JDPSN will lead the traditional Yong Maeng Jong Jin which signals the end of the Summer Kido at Won Kwang Sa.  The YMJJ starts on Friday 9th of September and ends after circle talk on the 11th of September.  Please come and support your personal practice as well as the beautiful Won Kwang Sa Temple in the awesome Pilis mountains! 
For information please write to: Tamás Mészáros: mesztamas gmail.com

7th July

Dharma Shop Open for Robes

We have just launched the online Dharma Shop.  At the moment it is just for ordering robes — but they are really wonderful Korean-made robes!  Uwe Schmidt of Hamburg is acting as middleman between us and a Korean tailor who makes the most beautiful robes — long robes, short robes, pants or a combination — to order.  If you know someone who has bought some of these robes, take a look at them and see just how good they are!  Then please go to the Dharma Shop on this site and follow the instructions there if you would like to order a robe or more.

22nd March

Zen Master Bon Haeng visiting Europe

A great Zen Master brings lights up our hearts with his compassion and wisdom — a great opportunity to experience the laughter of Zen!

Zen Master Bon Haeng (Mark Hougthon SSN) will be visiting many Sanghas in Europe from June 1 to 24. He will visit Barcelona (Dharma Talk), Palma de Mallorca (Dharma Talk), Warsaw (Dharma Talk), Łódź (Dharma Talk), Kraków (Dharma Talk), Berlin (YMJJ), Vienna (Zen Day), Brno (Dharma Talk), Bratislava (Dharma Talk), WKS (YMJJ) and Israel (Dharma Talk).  You can join the tour or meet ZM Bon Haeng in any of those places.
Detailed schedule
ZM Bon Haeng’s Biography

21st March

Dok Hyon Sunim visiting our Sangha

Two very great Bodhisattva monks on the road to us!  Together with eight Korean Bosalnims, Dok Hyon Sunim and Zen Master Wu Bong will visit Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest and Won Kwang Sa. They will meet the Sanghas, give Dharma Talks and share their Dharma light and experience with us. You can find the detailed schedule here .

18th March

European Sangha Weekend

The European Kwan Um School of Zen Sanghas celebrate the Buddha nature in all sentient beings at Won Kwang Sa — it promises to be one big fantastic party!

The traditional Sangha Weekend with ceremonies as well as many informal workshops lead by teachers and monks and informal meetings will take place at Won Kwang Sa from April 1 to 3, 2011.  This is the only Sangha Weekend of this year, so don’t miss this opportunity.  Since there will be no formal meetings, we will have plenty of time to meet, share and rejoice!