Seung Sahn International zen center Musangsa is open to
anybody who seeks true meaning of life and its direction
disregarding race, religion, nationality and
age. Musangsa walks together with you on the
Boddhisattva path. Through practicing with us, you will be
able to find your true self and help your neighbors, society
and whole world with your compassionate mind.
Program & Training
What is Haeng Won Program?
In Korea, Bo Hyun Bosal is often called, “Bo Hyun Haeng Won” (보현행원): “Samantabhadra of the Action Vows.” These vows are found in the final chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra. There, Bo Hyun Bosal teaches that wisdom only exists for the sake of putting it into practice and is only good insofar as it benefits all living beings.
Purpose and Significance
It is in the tradition of these great vows that Musangsa would like to introduce the same practicing forms and teaching of the KUSZ. Musangsa was founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn in 2000 to host practitioners from all over the world. As we are in Korea, the program at Musangsa is also influenced by the Korean Buddhist 1700-year-old tradition and culture. But Musangsa is not a traditional Korean Buddhist temple.
Participants of the program deepen their practice by getting in touch with Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teaching, while practicing with the Kwan Um School in a temple environment.
The program provides the opportunity for unique development of both wings of Zen practice: Meditation and wisdom—cultivated through 5 hours of daily formal practice, weekly kong-an interviews, community living and 5 hours of daily work practice.
Community living in the temple simplifies our lives so that practitioners can clearly perceive and digest their karmic habits. Working for the Sangha provides the opportunity to express our Bodhisattva vows, while enabling your formal practice to take root in the ground of its history and tradition.
This program can function either as an entrance to a future monastic life in Korea or as an enriching experience of intensive practice to share with your home Zen Center in the West.
Duration of program
Applicants who can stay for a whole Kyol Che or Hae Jae season will be be given prefrence. Haeng Wons are given roles in the temple, and so for the smooth operation of these roles, the Haeng Won program gives priority to applicants who have applied for the longest time period of the program (3 months). Those who are participating in the program during Kyolche must arrive at least a week before the start of Kyolche so that they can adjust to temple life. There is no option to join the program after the start of Kyolche. We ask that Work-Study Residents commit to stay for the length of the time they applied, except in cases of emergency.
Participation fee
for the duration of their stay in exchange for helping with temple duties 5-6 hours a day.
Daily Schedule
During retreat, the daily schedule consists of about 5 hours of practice and about 5 hours of work per day. During HaeJae (non retreat period) the schedule consists of about 3 hours of practice and about 5 hours of working. The program includes consultation with a Guiding Teacher to determine a practicing schedule that is in harmony with their temple duties as well as weekly interviews with Teachers (when Teachers are in residence).
To be flexible mind and body.
Temple schedules often change due to special ceremonies or unexpected guests at certain times. Such situations often occur. Please understand that sometimes practice times or jobs can be adjusted. A flexible and accepting posture is very helpful for practice.
To respect cultural differences
Please be aware of the differences between Western Zen Centers and Korean Temple culture. Heangwons learn to live in accord with Korean temple etiquette. For this reason, we prefer that couples do not participate in this program together.
To work in harmony with the temple community
Practice and wisdom are ultimately about putting down our Small ‘I’. It means a life in wise harmony with others, the community, and even the whole world. Because they represent Musangsa, residents should be examples of respectful and harmonious behavior in their relationships with each other and the temple staff. Their formal practice schedule should not interfere with their work. Additional practice, outside their schedule, should first be approved by a Guiding Teacher.
To be responsible for health and travel costs.
Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from Musangsa, as well as any health or insurance needed during their stay. Please understand that Musangsa cannot cover the cost of visa renewals, should a participant decide to extend the length of their stay.