About Kwan Um Zen Online
Kwan Um Zen Online (KUZO) is a global Zen meditation community offering direct access to Zen practice and teaching in the Kwan Um Zen tradition.
Our mission is simple: help people realize their true nature, and find clear direction.
KUZO offers:
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Daily meditation practice with an online community
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Dharma teaching from global Zen teachers
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A direct teacher–student connection that sets KUZO apart from other online platforms
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Our unique Kong-an practice tradition, a living encounter with Zen
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Interactive courses, workshops, and resources to enrich your Zen meditation practice
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A supportive international community of online practitioners
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![Temple building in Korea with view of mountains]()
A network of Kwan Um Zen Centers worldwide
Together, we cultivate a clear mind, open heart, and the courage to live with compassion in the world.
We welcome all to practice together as a global community and grow in wisdom, compassion and confidence.
A Tradition for Modern Life
The Kwan Um School of Zen is rooted in the Korean Zen tradition, yet was deliberately adapted to meet the realities of modern life. Zen Master Seung Sahn emphasized a path of practice open to all people—not just monastics—bringing Zen into families, communities, and everyday lives.
The Creation of Kwan Um Zen Online
As technology reshaped how people connect, Kwan Um Zen Online emerged to extend the possibilities of practice. Through live online meditation, virtual retreats, teaching interviews, and an active digital community, KUZO makes Zen training available to practitioners everywhere—whether in busy cities, rural towns, or remote regions of the world.
Today, KUZO is an independent nonprofit organization based in the United States, working closely with Kwan Um Zen centers and communities across the globe.
What We Care About
Welcoming All Beings
We cultivate a spirit of openness and belonging, welcoming people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and life experiences to practice together.
We strive to ensure that everyone feels seen, supported, and included — making Zen practice accessible to those near and far, and fostering connection within our diverse, worldwide sangha.
Kwan Um Zen Online is guided by the core values of the Kwan Um Zen tradition.
These values shape the way we practice together and support each other:
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Openness & Belonging
Everyone is welcome. We honor and include people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences.
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Practice-Centered Community
Our tradition is grounded in daily Zen practice—returning, moment to moment, to our original nature—what Zen Master Seung Sahn called “don’t know mind.” Our practice emphasizes awareness, openness, and clarity.
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Compassion & Wisdom
Practitioners are encouraged to perceive clearly and act with natural compassion and wisdom to benefit all beings, reflecting the core intention of helping both oneself and the wider world, the Bodhisattva Way.
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Ethical Foundation
The community upholds the Buddhist precepts, which serve as guidelines for a clear life direction, ethical behavior, and deepening practice.
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Mutual Support
We place a strong emphasis on mutual support and shared inspiration, cultivating a global dharma family rooted in connection, compassion, and collective responsibility.
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Adaptability & Innovation
We honor the long Buddhist tradition of adapting to meet the changing needs of practitioners, continually evolving our programs so the teachings remain relevant, practical , and accessible in modern life.
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Generosity & Service
Generosity is at the heart of our practice and allows us to sustain and expand our offerings for the benefit of all practitioners.
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Continuous Effort
Our tradition encourages us to “Try, try, try—ten thousand years nonstop”—a spirit of persistent effort in practice and in facing life’s challenges.
