Teachers at Mountain Gate Zen Center
Ven. Dr. Hwasahn Sokan
Ven. Dr. Hwasahn Sokan, SSN
Guiding Teacher at MGZC
Ven. Hwasahn Sokan, SSN (Soen Sa Nim) is a Zen Master and Bhramajala Priest in the Five Mountain Zen Order, and holds a Doctorate degree in Buddhist studies from Buddha Dharma University. Ven. Hwasahn received Inga on January 28, 2012 and Dharma transmission on June 13th, 2015.
Ven. Hwasahn began practicing Zen Buddhism in 1986 under the Taizan Maezumi Roshi at the Zen Center of Los Angeles. Ven. Hwasahn became a resident at ZCLA for four years; the experience of training at ZCLA established Buddhism as a central focus in his life’s direction. Hwasahn Sunim received Soto lineage lay precepts (Jukai) from Maezumi Roshi; he also served as a staff member at ZCLA during his residency there. As a resident student at ZCLA, Ven. Hwasahn participated in regular retreats (Sesshin), including a three month long retreat (Ango). Ven. Hwasahn left residency at ZCLA in 1995 to devote himself full time to the study of Traditional Chinese medicine at SAMRA University, Los Angeles.
In 2002 Hwasahn Sunim continued his formal study of Zen Buddhism with Zen Master Jibong at the Golden Wind School of Zen; receiving from him 5 precepts in 2004 and 10 precepts in 2005. Hwasahn Sunim was a founding board member of the Golden Wind Zen Center and served as executive director during his time there. Ven. Hwasahn went on to study Zen Buddhism with Wonji Sunim, a long time student and Dharma heir of Zen Master Jibong. Ven. Hwasahn received the 16 Bodhisattva precepts and the 58 Brahmajala precepts from Wonji Sunim in 2009; and he was installed by Wonji Sunim as Abbot of Mountain Gate Zen center in March of 2009.
Guiding Teacher at MGZC
Ven. Hwasahn Sokan, SSN (Soen Sa Nim) is a Zen Master and Bhramajala Priest in the Five Mountain Zen Order, and holds a Doctorate degree in Buddhist studies from Buddha Dharma University. Ven. Hwasahn received Inga on January 28, 2012 and Dharma transmission on June 13th, 2015.
Ven. Hwasahn began practicing Zen Buddhism in 1986 under the Taizan Maezumi Roshi at the Zen Center of Los Angeles. Ven. Hwasahn became a resident at ZCLA for four years; the experience of training at ZCLA established Buddhism as a central focus in his life’s direction. Hwasahn Sunim received Soto lineage lay precepts (Jukai) from Maezumi Roshi; he also served as a staff member at ZCLA during his residency there. As a resident student at ZCLA, Ven. Hwasahn participated in regular retreats (Sesshin), including a three month long retreat (Ango). Ven. Hwasahn left residency at ZCLA in 1995 to devote himself full time to the study of Traditional Chinese medicine at SAMRA University, Los Angeles.
In 2002 Hwasahn Sunim continued his formal study of Zen Buddhism with Zen Master Jibong at the Golden Wind School of Zen; receiving from him 5 precepts in 2004 and 10 precepts in 2005. Hwasahn Sunim was a founding board member of the Golden Wind Zen Center and served as executive director during his time there. Ven. Hwasahn went on to study Zen Buddhism with Wonji Sunim, a long time student and Dharma heir of Zen Master Jibong. Ven. Hwasahn received the 16 Bodhisattva precepts and the 58 Brahmajala precepts from Wonji Sunim in 2009; and he was installed by Wonji Sunim as Abbot of Mountain Gate Zen center in March of 2009.
Professional life
Dharma transmission June 13th, 2015
Hwasahn Sunim has been studying the martial arts since the age of 13; training primarily in Aikido and Wing Chun. As a young man he served as an Uchi Deshi (live-in apprentice) under Steven Seagal Sensei, who was at that time teaching Aikido in North Hollywood California. Ven. Hwasahn later went on to become an indoor student of the Wing Chun master Sifu Lam Man Hog (Gary Lam); in 2005 Hwasahn Sunim was certified as a Wing Chun Sifu (Coach) by Sifu Lam.
Professionally Hwasahn Sunim is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Licensed in 1996) and is a teacher of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Ven. Hwasahn has served as a Professor of both Acupuncture Anatomy and Herb Pharmacology & Chinese Nutrition. In 2006 Hwasahn Sunim founded Turning Point of Berkeley California; offering an array of alternative medicine services including: Acupuncture, Feldenkrais, Chinese herbal medicine, Medical Qigong therapy and TCM nutritional counseling.
Professionally Hwasahn Sunim is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Licensed in 1996) and is a teacher of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Ven. Hwasahn has served as a Professor of both Acupuncture Anatomy and Herb Pharmacology & Chinese Nutrition. In 2006 Hwasahn Sunim founded Turning Point of Berkeley California; offering an array of alternative medicine services including: Acupuncture, Feldenkrais, Chinese herbal medicine, Medical Qigong therapy and TCM nutritional counseling.
Founding Teacher for Five Mountain Zen Order
Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma
Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma
Ven. Wonji Dharma is a Bhikṣu in the Lam Te Thíen tradition and a Brahmajala Monk in the Kwan Um Jong tradition; additionally, he is a Zen Teacher and the Founder - Guiding Teacher of the Five Mountain Zen Order as well as the Chancellor of Buddha Dharma University.
Ven. Wonji was ordained by Zen Master Seung Sahn as a Dharma teacher in 1995, as a Senior Dharma Teacher in 2001 and as a Brahmajala Monk in 2002. He received teaching authorization from Zen Master Ji Bong, in the Golden Wind Zen Order in April, 2006. Wonji additionally received the 250 Bhikṣu vows on November 1, 2012 with Bhante Suhita Dharma (Hòa Thượng Thích Ân Đức), who was the first Dharma Heir of the Hòa Thượng Dr. Thiên Ân. Unfortunately Bhante died suddenly on Dec. 28, 2013 in Los Angeles at Chùa Diệu Pháp Temple in San Gabriel, California, where he resided. He was 73. Following the agreement made with Bhante Suhita Dharma to study for at least five years under a Thien Master, on July 15, 2014, Wonji was accepted as a student of Ven. Thích Ân Giáo Roshi who was Bhante Suhita's Dharma Brother and close friend. Wonji is studying the intricacies of monastic practice and life from Ven. Ân Giáo.
Ven. Wonji Dharma is a Bhikṣu in the Lam Te Thíen tradition and a Brahmajala Monk in the Kwan Um Jong tradition; additionally, he is a Zen Teacher and the Founder - Guiding Teacher of the Five Mountain Zen Order as well as the Chancellor of Buddha Dharma University.
Ven. Wonji was ordained by Zen Master Seung Sahn as a Dharma teacher in 1995, as a Senior Dharma Teacher in 2001 and as a Brahmajala Monk in 2002. He received teaching authorization from Zen Master Ji Bong, in the Golden Wind Zen Order in April, 2006. Wonji additionally received the 250 Bhikṣu vows on November 1, 2012 with Bhante Suhita Dharma (Hòa Thượng Thích Ân Đức), who was the first Dharma Heir of the Hòa Thượng Dr. Thiên Ân. Unfortunately Bhante died suddenly on Dec. 28, 2013 in Los Angeles at Chùa Diệu Pháp Temple in San Gabriel, California, where he resided. He was 73. Following the agreement made with Bhante Suhita Dharma to study for at least five years under a Thien Master, on July 15, 2014, Wonji was accepted as a student of Ven. Thích Ân Giáo Roshi who was Bhante Suhita's Dharma Brother and close friend. Wonji is studying the intricacies of monastic practice and life from Ven. Ân Giáo.