Our Zen school
The Kwan Um Zen School Germany is part of the international Kwan Um School of Zen, which was founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1972 and is active worldwide with over 100 centers and groups.
The Kwan Um Zen School Germany was founded in Berlin in 1990 and today comprises centers and groups in Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne. It represents Zen Buddhism in the Korean tradition, as taught by Zen master Seung Sahn and his master students. Our Zen practice together is intended to bring clarity and compassion to everyday life. The Kwan Um Zen School Germany is a registered non-profit organization.
Our practice
We practise sitting and walking meditation and also practise chanting sutras, bowing, prostration, formal eating and working together, all as Zen practices in the Kwan Um tradition. Conversations with teachers from our school, in the form of Kong-An interviews, are another important part of our practice.
In this way, we gradually gain clarity and a compassionate mind that can help all beings from moment to moment.
The teaching follows the direct, simple style of Zen Master Seung Sahn, the Korean Zen Master who founded our school.
Check out the next page ‘Practice with us’ or contact us directly for details on upcoming activities, our schedule, and common practice locations.
The human way
Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed – that is human.
Where do you come from when you are born?
Where do you go when you die?
Life is like a floating cloud that appears.
Death is like a floating cloud that disappears.
The floating cloud itself does not originally exist.
Life and death, coming and going, are also like this.
But there is one thing that always remains clear.
It is pure and clear, independent of life and death.
What then is the only pure and clear thing?
Upcoming events
Zen-Tag (Dresden)
8. Feb., 6:00 – 16:00 at Zen Center DresdenZen-Tag mit Zen-Meister Ji Kwang (Berlin)
8. Feb., 9:00 – 17:00 at Zen Zentrum Berlin e.V.Sangha-Café (Berlin)
15. Feb. at Zen Zentrum Berlin e.V.
Donations
Would you like to donate to the Kwan Um Zen School Germany?
If you would like to receive a donation receipt at the beginning of next year, please provide your name, e-mail and postal address.
You will find further information here.