Seung Sahn International Zen Center Musangsa in South Korea is the Kwan Um School of Zen’s head temple of Asia. Established 26 years ago by Zen Master Seung Sahn to carry forward his teachings, Musangsa has become a global spiritual home. Over the years, thousands of people from all over the world have come here to practice together. At Musangsa, all four groups of the Buddhist community—monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen—unite to understand their true selves and help others.
However, as our community grows, it has become difficult to accommodate all practitioners due to a lack of adequate public facilities and housing. To ensure the future of Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teaching, we are constructing a new Meditation Hall and International Zen Center to serve as a practice space for everyone.
Project Overview
The New International Kwan Um Zen Center will be located in the ideal space behind Musangsa’s current Buddha Hall and Zen Hall.
- Total Site Area: Approximately 13,000㎡ (139,930 ft²)
- Total Floor Space: Approximately 1,480㎡ (15,930 ft²)
- Key Facilities Include:
- New Zen Meditation Hall: A dedicated space for intensive practice.
- Modern Dormitories: To house international practitioners.
- Extended Kitchen & Dining Hall: To nourish our community and visitors.
- Zen Master’s Quarters (Joshilchae): Dedicated space for the Zen Master (Jo Shil Sunim) who devoted his life to Musangsa.
Our Five Core Objectives
1. Enhancing the International Kyol Che Experience
The new center will offer a more conducive environment for practitioners worldwide who participate in our intensive three-month Summer and Winter Kyol Che programs. This dedicated space will allow for deeper focus and better support for our global Sangha.
2. Welcoming Short-Term Visitors During Retreats
Currently, during Kyol Che, all facilities are occupied by retreat participants, making it nearly impossible to host short-term visitors. The new construction will allow us to use the existing Zen Hall and dormitories to host guests and casual practitioners even during intensive retreat seasons.
3. Expanding Our Temple Hospitality
In keeping with Korean temple tradition, we offer lunch to all who visit. Currently, limited space means visitors must wait for retreat participants to finish their meals. An expanded kitchen and separate dining hall will allow visitors to enjoy lunch immediately after the Daily Rice Offering Kido, ensuring a more welcoming experience for the public.
4. Supporting the Well-being of Our Monastics
Our resident monks balance heavy administrative duties with intensive practice. The new facilities will allow monks to rotate between temple responsibilities and designated periods of intensive retreat, fostering a healthier balance and supporting the long-term growth of our monastic community.
5. Honoring our Resident Zen Master (Jo Shil Sunim)
In recognition of our Jo Shil Sunim’s unwavering dedication to founding Musangsa and teaching practitioners for 26 years, we are constructing private living quarters. These quarters will ensure his well-being as he ages, enabling him to continue sharing his invaluable wisdom and teachings for many years to come.
Expected Construction Costs
To provide full transparency to our Sangha, here is the breakdown of the investment required for this vision:
- Foundation Engineering: US$390,000
- Zen Meditation Hall & Yosache: US$2,950,000
- Kitchen & Dining Hall: US$770,000
- Installations & Other Costs: US$700,000
- Joshilchae (Zen Master’s Quarters): US$460,000
- Total Expected Cost: US$5,270,000
Become a Part of Our History
We invite you to participate in the expansion of these facilities at Musangsa. Your support ensures that the lamp of the Dharma continues to shine for future generations of Zen practitioners.
A Special Note of Gratitude: The names of all donors and their contributions will be permanently enshrined inside the structure during the ridgepole installation ceremony in the new Zen Meditation Hall.
