The Hwagyesa International Zen Center is located in the Hwagyesa Temple which sits at the foot of the Samgaksan Mountain in the North of Seoul. The temple is part of the Chogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and has been the home to many Korean lineage Zen masters and teachers. Hwagyesa Temple was built in 1522 by Zen Master Shin Wol.
Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927-2004), who was the disciple of Zen Master Ko Bong and the founder of Kwan Um Zen School for westerners, opened the sitting room in 1991 so that people from all over the world can practice together and find their true nature. Our center helps practitioners to learn practicing methods and to achieve the freedom from life and death.