Outline
The “International Kwan Um Zen Center” will be comprised of a new Zen Meditaion Hall.
Dormitories, Joshilchae(living quarter for Jo Shil Sunim), and an extended kitchen / dining hall, which would cater to both our members and unaffiliated passing visitors. The total floor space would cover about 1,480㎡ (i.e., 15,930ft²) and will be built on the site of around 13,000㎡ (i.e., 139,930ft²). We have selected an ideal space behind Musangsa’s current Buddha Hall, Zen Hall, Yosache, Sanshin-gak, and the Office Building for the new.
Objectives
1. Provide a more appropriate circumstance to practitioners joining Kyel Che (3 months long retreat) from various countries.
The newly constructed International Kwan Um Zen Center would offer an environment more conductive for practitioners worldwide who would participate in the intensive, six-moth Summer and winter Kyol Che program.
2. Provide non–participants of Kyol Che with the option of visiting and staying at the temple during Kyol Che in the existing buildings.
During Kyol Che, we receive frequent requests from individuals seeking to visit for short-term practice or for other purposes. Currently, all facilities, except for the Buddha Hall, are occupied by Kyol Che participants, making it nearly impossible to accommodate non-participants. The construction of the International Kwan Um Zen Center would allow us to use the existing Zen Hall and dormitory buildings to host visitors during Kyol Che.
3. Provide lunch to a wider practicing community and day visitors, as is the custom in Korean temples.
The limited dining space at the temple poses a challenge during Kyol Che, as day program participants and other visitors must wait for the Kyol Che participants to finish their scheduled meal before lunch service can begin. This arrangement causes inconvenience for those attending daily programs or for those visiting the temple for other purpose. However, the construction of an expanded kitchen and a separate dining hall, which would be dedicated to visitors, would allow shor-term visitors to enjoy lunch immediately after the Daily Rice Offering Chanting Kido, eliminating the need for them to wait for the Kyol Che participants to finish their meal.
4. Provide support to the resident monks who play a pivotal role in running the operations and practices at the temple.
Since Musangsa’s inception, most of the resident monks have been burdened with their temple duties during Kyol Che, while also participating in the intensive practice programs. This demending dual schedule has taken a toll on their physical and mental well-being, making it difficult for them to maintain a balance between their reponsibilities and their spiritual practices. Upon the completion of the international Kwan Um Zen Hall and Yosachae (i.e., dormitory) buildings during Kyol Che program at the new center for designated periods of their choosing. This arrangement would foster a healthier balance between their professional and spiritual obligations, encouraging them to work and practice for the Sangha (i.e., the temple community) in a more balance manner. This support system would be particularly valuable for the younger monks, enabling them to continue serving the Sangha as monastics in the long term.
5. Provide support for the aging Jo Shil Monk (i.e., the resident Zen Master) who has devoted his life to founding Musangsa and teaching the Zen practitioners.
In recognition of Zen Master Jo sil Monk’s unwavering dedication to the growth and development of Musangsa since its establishment, we propose the construction of private living quaters to ensure his well-being and enable him to cotinue his invaluable teachings for many years to come.