Welcome to the Providence Zen Center website

Providence Zen Center
99 Pound Road
Cumberland, RI 02864
401-658-1464
Fax: 401-658-1188
pzc@kwanumzen.org

Zen Master Seung Sahn - Founding Teacher
Zen Master Dae Kwang - Guiding Teacher
Chong Won Sunim - Abbot

Zen is understanding yourself

The Providence Zen Center is a residential and non-residential community of lay persons and monastics in rural Rhode Island. Founded by Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn, it is the head temple of the international Kwan Um School of Zen.

The mission of the Providence Zen Center is to provide Zen training for all, through daily practice, regularly scheduled retreats and an international exchange of teachers and practitioners. Zen practice helps us to realize our true self and serve this world with wisdom and compassion.

In order to fulfil our mission, we commit ourselves to encourage strong practice, provide a welcoming environment, work towards self-sufficiency, and serve as a resource for the local and the wider community.

The Zen Center was founded in 1972 in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to its wooded fifty-acre home in Cumberland in 1979.

The Providence Zen Center monthly newsletter for March, 2010 is available on-line (pdf format).

If you would like us to send you a free information packet on the Providence Zen Center and the Kwan Um School of Zen, please fill out the Information Request Form.

Providence Zen Center is now on Facebook.

Are you interested in yoga? The Yoga Studio of Blackstone River Valley offers classes several days a week at the zen center. For more information, see their website.

Providence Zen Center also makes its space available to visiting groups. If your organization is interested in renting our facilities, please visit the Information for Group Rentals page.

A 360º panographic photograph of the main dharma room can be seen at the Brightridge 360 website.

Getting Started	back to top

If you are interested in learning about zen meditation, the best way to start is to attend a walk-in meditation instruction class at the zen center. By attending the class you will learn about what zen teaching is and the meditation techniques that we use here, as well as a general introduction to the zen center. The hour-long class is free and no registration is required. See the schedule below.

Daily Schedule	back to top

Calendar of Events	back to top

Intensive Meditation Retreats	back to top

Providence Zen Center holds at least one retreat every month, of varying durations. Participation in a retreat is a time to investigate your life closely. This experience can bring about a clearer, more compassionate direction, and more harmonious relationships within all aspects of life. The types of retreats that we have are:

• One day retreats consist of sitting and walking meditation from 9:30am to 3:30pm followed by an informal meal. Includes kong-an teaching interviews with a zen teacher. There is an orientation at 8:45am for first-time retreatants. Prior meditation experience or attendance at a meditation instruction class is recommended.
  
  
• Yong Maeng Jong Jin retreats are two, three or seven days long and are held in silence. The schedule each day consists of ten hours of Zen practice (bowing, chanting, sitting and walking), work and rest periods, and vegetarian meals eaten in traditional temple style. Includes talks and kong-an teaching interviews with a zen teacher. Minimum participation is 24 hours. For more detailed information, read the Yong Maeng Jong Jin Orientation Guide (pdf format). Prior meditation experience or attendance at a meditation instruction class is recommended.
  
  
• Kido chanting retreats consist primarily of chanting from 9:00am to 3:00pm with a break at noon for an informal lunch. We chant "Kwan Seum Bosal", the Korean name for the bodhisattva of compassion, while sitting, standing and walking (similar to the special chanting that we do every evening at 6:30pm). Multi-day kidos follow the same schedule as a Yong Maeng Jong Jin, with chanting in place of sitting meditation. These retreats are suitable for beginners as well as experienced students.
  
  
• Kyol Che retreats are held twice a year for 90 days in the winter (typically January through March) and 27 days in the summer (in August). For more information, see below.
  
  
• Christian-Buddhist retreats are held three times a year. Christians and Buddhists can use very similar techniques of contemplative prayer and meditation to help make their spiritual teachings a living part of their daily existence. These retreats emphasize sitting and walking meditation, and include talks and discussion. Each retreat runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm and includes a vegetarian lunch. Beginners are welcome. No prior experience necessary.
  

Unless specified, retreats cost $65/day for non-members and associate members; $45/day for students, clergy and school members; and $35/day for Dharma Teachers and Dharma Teachers in training in the Kwan Um School of Zen. Retreat participants can also stay at the zen center for one night (either before or after the retreat) at no additional charge. Participants should register at least 48 hours in advance (one week for kyol che retreats). Beginners are very welcome. Please contact the Zen Center for more information.

To register for your retreat online - fill out the retreat registration form.

The schedule for upcoming retreats is as follows:

• Yong Maeng Jong Jin - Saturday, May 1 to Sunday, May 2, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• One day retreat - Sunday, May 16, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• Yong Maeng Jong Jin - Saturday, June 5 to Sunday, June 6, 2010 - led by Zen Master Wu Kwang.
  
  
• Yong Maeng Jong Jin - Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• Christian-Buddhist retreat - Saturday, July 17, 2010, 9:00am to 4:00pm - led by Father Kevin Hunt OCSO and Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• One day retreat - Sunday, July 18, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• Summer Kyol Che - Tuesday, August 3 through Sunday, August 15, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  See below for details.
  
  
• Christian-Buddhist retreat - Saturday, September 18, 2010, 9:00am to 4:00pm - led by Father Kevin Hunt OCSO and Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• One day retreat - Sunday, September 19, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• Yong Maeng Jong Jin - Friday, October 1 to Sunday, October 3, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• Yong Maeng Jong Jin - Friday, November 5 to Sunday, November 7, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• One day retreat - Sunday, November 21, 2010 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
• Yong Maeng Jong Jin - December 6 to 12, 2010 - led by Zen Master Soeng Hyang.
  This retreat is being co-presented by the Providence, Cambridge and New Haven Zen Centers. There will be orientations on Monday and Saturday at 9:00am for new students. Minimum participation is two full days.
  
• Winter Kyol Che - Saturday, January 1 through Friday, April 1, 2011 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  See below for details.
  
  
  

Kyol Che Intensive Retreats

A Kyol Che ("coming together") is a longer, intensive meditation retreat held in the winter and summer. Held at our Diamond Hill Zen Monastery, it is modeled after the traditional winter and summer retreats in the mountain temples of Korea.

For more detailed information, download the Kyol Che Information Booklet (pdf format) and the Kyol Che flyer (pdf format).

Please register for Kyol Che retreats at least one week in advance. 

• Summer Kyol Che - Tuesday, August 3 through Sunday, August 15, 2010 - led by  Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  Entries are on:
  
  • Tuesday, August 3 at 9:00am
  • Saturday, August 7 at 8:00am
  • Wednesday, August 11 at 8:00am
  Exit is any day at 8:00am. Minimum participation is 72 hours.
  
  Retreat fees are:
  $910/entire retreat, $455/week and $65/day for non-members and associate members;
  $630/entire retreat, $315/week and $45/day for students, clergy and school members;
  $490/entire retreat, $245/week and $35/day for Dharma Teachers and Dharma Teachers in Training in the Kwan Um School of Zen.
  
  
• Winter Kyol Che - Saturday, January 1 through Friday, April 1, 2011 - led by Zen Master Dae Kwang. 
  
  Entry is on Saturday, January 1 at 2:30pm,  or any subsequent Saturday at 8:00am.  Exits are any Saturday at 8:00am.  Minimum participation is one week. The intensive week, which begins February 12, includes nightly midnight practice, and is limited to those who have previously sat retreats or who have entered this retreat earlier.
  
  Retreat fees are:
  $4500/entire retreat or $455/week for non-members and associate members;
  $3000/entire retreat or $315/week for students, clergy and school members;
  $2500/entire retreat or $245/week for Dharma Teachers and Dharma Teachers in training in the Kwan Um School of Zen.
  Half price for Eastern Europeans who are members in good standing of their home zen centers (does not apply to Eastern Europeans living in the U.S.).
  Additional 10% discount for all registrations received and paid by December 1, 2010.
  
  

Upcoming Talks	back to top

Talks are a great opportunity to learn more about zen teaching. They consist of a short introductory talk by a student followed by a question and answer session with a teacher or senior student. They are held on the second Sunday and fourth Wednesday of each month, as shown below, and usually last about one hour. All talks, like our daily meditation practice, are free and open to the general public.

• Sunday, June 13 at 10:00am - given by SDT Doug Walsh.
  
  
• Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30pm - given by Zen Master Dae Kwang.
  
  
  

Click on the links below to watch videos of Zen Master Dae Kwang giving talks at the Singapore Zen Center in May, 2006.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Other Events	back to top

All of the events listed here are free and open to the general public (except where noted).

• Precepts Workshop - Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 1:30pm - For those who would like to take the five precepts or just wish to learn more about them. For more information about the precepts, see the Precepts Information and Application Booklet (pdf format). Approximately one hour long.
  
  
• Buddha's Birthday Celebration - Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28, 2010
  
  • Friday, 7:15pm ceremony of bathing the baby Buddha
    
  • Saturday, 10:00am Buddha's Birthday ceremony
    
  • Saturday, 1:30pm kido chanting
    
  • Sunday, 9:00am meetings for everyone taking precepts
    
  • Sunday, 10:30am precepts ceremony
    
  
  
• Foundations of Zen workshop - Sunday, June 20, 2010 - 9:00am to 12:00pm - designed for beginners, this program features meditation instruction, sitting and a talk by a zen teacher. This program is free, but pre-registration is required. To register for this program fill out the retreat registration form.
  
  
• Precepts Workshop - Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 1:30pm - For those who would like to take the five precepts or just wish to learn more about them. For more information about the precepts, see the Precepts Information and Application Booklet (pdf format). Approximately one hour long.
  
  
• Founder's Day weekend - Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and August 1, 2010
  
  • Saturday, 10:00am Founder's Day ceremony
    
  • Saturday, 1:30pm meetings for everyone taking precepts
    
  • Saturday, 3:00pm precepts ceremony
    
  • Sunday, 10:00am annual sangha town meeting
    
  
  
• Foundations of Zen workshop - Sunday, October 24, 2010 - 9:00am to 12:00pm - designed for beginners, this program features meditation instruction, sitting and a talk by a zen teacher. This program is free, but pre-registration is required. To register for this program fill out the retreat registration form.
  
  
• Precepts Workshop - Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 1:30pm - For those who would like to take the five precepts or just wish to learn more about them. For more information about the precepts, see the Precepts Information and Application Booklet (pdf format). Approximately one hour long.
  
  
• Buddha's Enlightenment Day Celebration - Saturday, December 4, 2010
  
  • 10:00am Buddha's Enlightenment Day ceremony
    
  • 1:30pm meetings for everyone taking precepts
    
  • 3:00pm precepts ceremony
    
  
  

Diamond Hill Zen Monastery	back to top

The Monastery, on the grounds of the Zen Center, is where we hold our semi-annual Kyol Che retreats. It is available for group use - contact the Zen Center office for details and availability.

A 360º panographic photograph of the monastery dharma room can be seen at the Brightridge 360 website.

Practice Groups Associated With PZC	back to top

Besides the daily practice and retreats at our Cumberland center, there are several practice groups associated with PZC in the Rhode Island area. These groups meet at Brown University, Wheaton College, Newport and in Providence. Their locations and schedules are:

Providence (East Side) - 168 Fourth Street

Schedule - Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30pm, sitting and walking meditation with kong-an interviews by Zen Master Soeng Hyang

• When you arrive, walk along the driveway to the side door, then go up to the third floor. Please arrive on time as the door will be locked during sittings. If you arrive late, wait outside, and the door will be unlocked during each walking period. A schedule of the sitting and walking periods will be posted on the door. This group does not meet during August. A donation of $3 or $4 is requested.

Directions at Google Maps

Brown University

Location - Manning Chapel
Schedule - Monday evenings during the academic year from 7:30 to 9pm. See their web site for more information.

South County Zen Group

Location - Heart Center Yoga, 123 Boon St., Narragansett, RI
Schedule - Thursdays 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm with orientation at 6:30 pm.
For information call Nancy Hedgpeth JDPSN at 401-322-9178.

Newport Zen Group - Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham Street, Newport

Schedule - Mondays, 7 to 8:30pm, meditation instruction, sitting, walking, and chanting meditation

• Group meets in the community building/daycare center, behind the main church building. Please bring a blanket and/or cushions to sit on.

All That Matters Zen Group

Schedule - monthly on second Sunday mornings 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Beginners should arrive 15 minutes early.
Meeting dates and location are available at www.allthatmatters.com.

Wheaton College

Location - Mary Lyon Hall, Woolley Room
Schedule - Tuesday evenings during the academic year at 7pm
For information - contact Professor Jeff Timm at jtimm@wheatonma.edu

Teaching Articles	back to top

• Complete article archive arranged by teacher name
• Zen Master Seung Sahn's "What is Zen?", "Zen is Understanding Yourself", and "Why We Chant"
• Providence Zen Center Newsletter teaching articles (1972-1983)
• Kwan Um Zen School Newsletter (1983-1990)
• Primary Point magazine (1984 to present)
• Providence Zen Center Newsletter teaching articles (1989 to 2003)
• Glossary of Zen Names and Terms Used By the Kwan Um School of Zen

Search WWW Search kwanumzen.com

About Membership	back to top

Membership entitles one to reduced rates for retreats and other Zen Center events, as well as subscriptions to our newsletters and Primary Point, the journal of the Kwan Um School. Dues help support the Center, the School and the transmission of Zen teaching.

• Individual Full Membership - $300/year
• Family Full Membership - $420/year
• Student Full Membership - $144/year
• Associate Membership - $96/year

If you live in North America, you can print out and mail us this membership application.

Resources for Members

On Living at PZC	back to top

Zen Master Seung Sahn has encouraged his students to live together in Zen centers where they can derive strength and support from each other's continuing practice. The regular schedule of practicing, eating and working together acts as a backdrop for seeing our karma appear and disappear. We use the analogy of washing potatoes together in a big pot of water. As the potatoes bump into one another, they clean each other more quickly and efficiently than if each potato was cleaned individually.

In the Zen center, we can see clearly how our opinions create problems, by coming between us and the situation that we find ourselves in. When we let go of these opinions it is possible to live our every day lives with clarity and harmony. As we learn to cooperate, to see clearly and to accept people and situations as they really are, our minds become strong and wide. Then it becomes possible to act harmoniously and help other people with no trace of ourselves.

The forms and temple rules we use are designed to help us see our opinions and our inattentive minds in each situation. When we use these forms and rules as a mirror to see our minds clearly, we see the cause our suffering and our hindrances. With sincere effort and patience we can also find the way to get relief from our suffering and overcome our hindrances. In our Zen center this is the work we are all doing together.

Residential training at Providence Zen Center is available to members who are committed to a daily practice and have participated in at least two Yong Maeng Jong Jin retreats.

For more detailed information, see the Handbook for Residential Training (pdf format).

If you are interested in residential training and would like to learn more, please contact the abbot, Chong Won Sunim.

Directions to Providence Zen Center	back to top

Printable version

Providence Zen Center is located 15 miles north of Providence. From any direction, follow the instructions below to I-295 and take Exit 10 [Route 122]. At the traffic light at the end of the ramp turn right, and go 1.5 miles north on Rt. 122. After you pass under a footbridge, take the next right onto Pound Road. (If you pass an auto repair shop, you have gone too far.) Drive about 3/4 of a mile up Pound Road. Providence Zen Center is at #99 on the right with a 65-foot pagoda in the front yard. There is ample free parking in the visitor lot.

To Get to I-295:

• From Providence - take Route 146 North to I-295 North.
• From Attleboro - take I-95 North to I-295 South.
• From Boston - take I-95 South to I-295 South.
• From Worcester - take Route 146 South to I-295 North.
• From Western Massachusetts - take the Turnpike to Exit 10, to Route 20 East, to Route 146 South, to I-295 North.
• From New Hampshire - take I-495 South, to I-95 South, to I-295 South.
• From New York City and Connecticut - Take I-95 North to I-295 North.

If you need a more detailed map or specific driving directions - Try here
If you'd like to check the weather before you visit - Click here

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