Detroit Zen Center was established in 1990.  We are a US branch of Sudeok-sa -- a major temple in Korea founded in the 6th century CE.  Our founder is zen monk Hwalson Sunim.

Our purpose is to provide a public setting for Zen study & practice, foster community, human and ecological harmony.  Monks and students live on-site following a daily routine of meditation,  vegan meals and work projects, featuring organic & local produce, native plants, site wide reclaimed materials, green roofs and a public gardens.

For the public we offer Guided Zen sessions on Sundays, Intro to Zen Courses, Dharma Talks, guest retreats & lodging, gardens, meals & special events.  For students we offer a regular schedule of meditation, apprenticeship and retreats.  Lay or monastic training and ordination is possible.

The Center is supported through the financial and physical work of our monks, members and students, and relies upon donations.  Our urban ecological initiative, 'Shine One Corner' is in its 3rd decade, regenerating an abandoned & fully dilapidated yet historic site (a former WWII Speakeasy & Wedding/Dance Hall).  The Zen Center offers full site composting, recycling, reclamation, green roofs & bioretention (rain) gardens.  Our public 'Peace Garden' is open daily, converted from a vacant lot formerly used to park junked cars.  Cloud Mountain Hermitage & Retreat Center is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, outside Ontonagon.

To explore, please attend a Sunday Guided Zen session, or another public event on the Calendar page.