Providence Zen Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Providence Zen Center |
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|---|---|
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Kwan Um School of Zen |
| Location | |
| Location | 99 Pound Road Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864 |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Seungsahn |
| Completed | 1972 |
| Website | |
| www.providencezen.org/ | |
The Providence Zen Center (PZC) is a special place for learning about Zen Buddhism. It is the main center in the Americas for the Kwan Um School of Zen. A teacher named Seungsahn started it in the United States in October 1972.
At PZC, students and teachers live together. This helps them learn and practice Zen every day. This idea was very important to Seungsahn. People at the center and at the nearby Diamond Hill Zen Monastery practice things like sitting meditation (called zazen), bowing (called prostrations), and chanting.
The center first opened in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1979, it moved to its current large, 50-acre home in Cumberland, Rhode Island. A famous part of the center is the Peace Pagoda. This tall, 65-foot pagoda stands at the front of the grounds. The PZC also serves as the U.S. headquarters for the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
History of the Providence Zen Center
The Providence Zen Center was started by Seung Sahn in October 1972. It was first located on Doyle Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island. This was the first place for his American students to practice Zen. The center began after a professor invited Seung Sahn to talk about Buddhism. Many students then wanted to learn from him.
In 1974, the center moved to Hope Street. Then, in 1978, the PZC got a large 50-acre piece of land in Cumberland, Rhode Island. This is where it is located today.
During the 1980s, the PZC helped start important talks about women in Zen Buddhism. It hosted many discussions and meetings about women's issues. In 1982, the center created a discussion group for women. In 1983, a workshop called "Feminist Principles in Zen" was held. It was led by several important teachers. The center also held "Women in American Buddhism" conferences in 1984 and 1985. After this, women's retreats and conferences became common.
From 1983 to 1984, the Kwan Um School of Zen built the Diamond Hill Zen Monastery. It is on the same land as the PZC. This building has a low, pagoda-like shape. It was built in a traditional Korean style. Today, it hosts special meditation retreats called Kyol Che.
Kyol Che Meditation Retreats
The Providence Zen Center holds two main meditation retreats each year. There is a three-month Winter Kyol Che retreat. There is also a four-week Summer Kyol Che retreat. These retreats are held at the Diamond Hill Zen Monastery.
See also
- Cambridge Zen Center
- Musangsa
- Chogye International Zen Center
- Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States
Images for kids
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Peace Pagoda
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Grave of Hyon Jok at Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, RI
