Teacher & Abbot:  Hwalson Sunim was born in Detroit and a was a Detroit Public School Teacher during the 1960's riots.  As a professor of Sociology in a Toronto University,  he met Samu Sunim, a Zen monk, and began practicing meditation.  He wound up doing 10 years of fulltime apprenticeship with him and an additional 10 years' training with other masters in America and Korea.  In 1986 he became the only western student of Wondam Sunim (one of Korea's 5 living Patriarchs until his 2008 death) of Sudeok-sa Temple. In 1990 Wondam Sunim asked him to return to America and teach Zen.  Landing with $50 and a backpack, he began the Detroit Zen Center.  Sunim is a carpenter with deep respect for the relationship between zen practice,  manual work and the arts.   He is 70 years old. 

A branch of Sudeoksa Temple, and part of the Chogye Order of Korea, our lineage is Lin-chi (Rinzai)Zen. We practice early morning & evening meditation, manual work and community life, following a schedule of 3 months of retreat season (kyolche) followed by 3 months of practice season (haejae).  Throughout the year, intensive 3, 5 and 7 day retreats are offered. All are welcome to explore zen philosophy and practice by first attending an introductory session (visit the Newcomer's link).
Life at the Center  is focused in sustainability: the use of local organic & raw foods, recycling, composting, alternative medicine and health maintenance, growing wheatgrass and sprouts, using reclaimed materials. 

The Detroit Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  The monks & students run an organic cafe/market and a green renovation business to support the Center.  Donations are essential to its survival.  We do not charge membership or fees but ask those practicing here to give as they can.  Located in a dense urban setting, there is a unique beauty and warmth to the environment.  Please feel welcome to visit the Center by attending an introductory session on Sunday, or by scheduling tea with the Director,  Myungju Sunim (명법스님) .
 

--Buddhist names are given by a monk-teacher during a precept ceremony or when becoming ordained as a monk.  They have a special meaning, and inspire us toward a more sincere way of living.  They do not replace a birth name.

Monastic & Full-time Staff:
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Director, Myungju (Hillary Moga) began studying Zen at 17.  At 20 she returned from studies in Oxford UK to become a novice monk.  In 2004 she  became fully ordained at Sudeok sa temple,  South Korea under the guidance of Sul Jung Sunim.  She has trained here in Detroit, in California, and in South Korea for 12 years. 

Resident Monk, Majin (Luke Niewiadomski)  began training as a novice monk in 2006.  Originally from upsate New York, he graduated valedictorian of Michigan State University and worked as a solar panel engineer.  He became ordained in 2009 during a special visit by the head of Korean Buddhism, Sul Jung Sunim. 

'Sunim' is a title given all monks in Korean tradtion.  It means 'No-Rank'.

Full time and Work Exchange Students:
Jade Fearn, Asistant Director Began studying as a work exchange student in the fall of 2009.  She has worked on a community organic farm in Michigan, with special needs children on a farm in Pennsylvania, and at a community in Northern Ireland.  She is a full-time student and serves as the manager of the Living Zen Organics,  the Center's cafe and organic food business. 

Matthew Helsel began as a Dharma Work Exchange Student in May of 2010.  He is a full time student, and the Assistant Manager of our organic food business. His wonderful disposition and hard work ethic are invaluable.