Dharma Teacher Training
An 18-month online training course for those with 10 precepts or more. Led by global Kwan Um School of Zen teachers.
About The Program
The 18-Month Online Dharma Teacher Training Program in the Kwan Um School of Zen is a comprehensive and immersive journey designed to empower current and aspiring dharma teachers and dharma teachers-in-training in their practice, leadership, and service.
Rooted in the teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn, this program offers a structured yet flexible framework to deepen our practice, refine skills, and cultivate a life of service as a bodhisattva on or off the cushion, in person or online.
Program Highlights
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Learning Practice Forms and Rituals
Participants will study and practice traditional forms and rituals of the Kwan Um School of Zen, including chanting, bowing, and meditation techniques.
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Leading Practice
Guided by senior teachers, participants will learn how to lead group practice effectively, including meditation sessions, chanting, and giving dharma talks.
With training they will have opportunities to practice leading in a supportive and constructive environment, receiving feedback to grow in confidence and skill.
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Exploring Precepts and Teachings in Daily Life
Through study and discussion, participants will engage deeply with the Buddhist precepts and teachings, examining how they manifest in daily life and guide ethical decision-making.
This exploration helps practitioners to embody the Dharma authentically and guide others with clarity and compassion.
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Community Engagement and Shared Experience
A central element of the program is the creation of a vibrant, global community of Dharma teachers.
Participants will engage in small group discussions and sharing sessions, reflecting on their personal experiences as Dharma teachers and learning from one another’s insights.
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The Bodhisattva’s Path
The program emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal of helping all beings.
Participants will explore how to bring the Dharma into the world creatively and skillfully, addressing the needs of their local sanghas and the broader community.
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Global Access to Senior Teachers
The program provides access to Zen teachers from around the world, offering diverse perspectives on the teachings and guidance for the participants.
The program is fully online.
It has a blend of live interactive sessions, recorded lectures, and self-paced study materials.
Participants will meet monthly for group workshops and discussion, creating a sense of community and shared purpose.
Live meetings will be held monthly on the second Tuesday and following Saturday. These Tuesday and Saturday sessions have the same content, but are offered at different times to accommodate global time zones.
You're not required to attend live sessions, though your experience of the course will be enhanced by live participation.
Recordings of both sessions will be posted on the course platform and are available for all course participants.
Tuesday at 19:00 Eastern US Time
Saturday at 19:00 Central European Time
*Classes begin on January 14 and January 18, 2025.
$200
Tuition
One-time payment
or
Monthly payments of $15/month for 16 months.
There is a reduced price available for residents of Central/Eastern European countries.
Who Should Join?
This program is open to current dues-paying Dharma Teachers and Dharma Teachers in Training in the Kwan Um School of Zen who are committed to deepening their practice and skills in sharing the teachings.
It is designed for those who wish to grow in their role as teachers, embody the precepts in daily life, and contribute to the flourishing of the Dharma in the modern world.
Benefits of This Course
By the end of this 18-month journey, participants will be better equipped to lead, inspire, and serve as compassionate guides on the path of awakening.
Together, we can continue Zen Master Seung Sahn’s work of making the Dharma accessible and alive for all beings.
Support Our Journey
Committing to this program is an invitation to open our hearts, cultivate wisdom, and deepen our vow to helping all beings.
As Zen Master Seung Sahn also taught, “Try, try, try for 10,000 years non-stop, only go straight don’t know.”
This program is one step in that infinite journey—one that will nurture our practice, build a strong foundation to empower each of us to share the dharma with more confidence and to inspire others.
