Teacher & Abbot:  Hwalson Sunim
While teaching as a university professor in Sociology, Hwalson Sunim met a Buddhist monk in Toronto, Canada.  He soon began a 10 year intensive apprenticeship with him, and an additional 10 years with Zen masters in both North America and Korea.  In 1986 he was accepted as the only western disciple of Wondam Sunim (one of Korea's 5 living Patriarchs until his 2008 death), and Sudeok-sa Temple. In 1990 he was asked by Wondam Sunim to return to America and teach Zen.  His teaching style encourages students to take full responsibility for their lives and spiritual development.  Sunim is a carpenter with deep appreciation for the relationship between zen practice,  manual work and the arts.   He is 69 years old. 

Affiliated with the Chogye Order of Korea in the Lin-chi (Rinzai)  tradition, the DZC schedule includes early morning & evening meditation, manual work, and communal meals. We follow the traditional Korean 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 begin practicing zen here by first attending an introductory session (visit the Newcomer's link). Life at the Center  is focused around alternative, sustainable practices such as the use of fair trade, raw and organic foods, recycling, composting, the use of herbs and growing of wheatgrass and sprouts, the use of reclaimed materials, and a general appreciation of natural life.

The Detroit Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  The monks & students run an organic cafe/market, and a renovation business to support the Center.  Donations are essential to its survival.  We do not charge membership or fees but ask all that come to give according to their heart and circumstances.  Although located in a dense urban setting, there is a unique beauty to this 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) .

Monastic Staff:
Director, Myungju Sunim (Hillary Moga):  In 1997 she began full-time training as a novice monk.  She took full ordination in 2004 at Sudeok-sa temple, South Korea with Sul Jung Sunim.  She has been able to train here in Detroit, with Joshu Sasaki-Roshi in California, and in South Korea. 


Assistant Director, Majin Sunim (Luke Niewiadomski)  began training as a novice monk in 2006.  After graduating as valedictorian of Michigan State University, he began working as a solar panel engineer before deciding to become a monk.  He was ordained in 2009 during a special visit and ceremony by the head of our Korean order, P'ang Jang Sul Jung Sunim.