Our Tradition of Zen

Orlando Zen Center is an affiliate of the Kwan Um School of Zen, an international organization of more than a hundred centers and groups founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927-2004), a Korean Zen Master who came to live and teach in North America in 1972.

The  School’s purpose is to make the practice of Zen as accessible as possible. It is our wish to help human beings find their true direction and to save all beings from suffering.

Orlando Zen Center was founded as a local meditation group in 2000 and incorporated with the State of Florida in 2011.
In 2016 it received the name “Hwa Om Sa” (Flower Garland Temple.)  

Meditation

There are many kinds if meditation such as counting breaths, watching the breath, keeping a question, using a mantra, chanting, prostrations, clear mind meditation, etc. You can read about these on the...
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Guiding Teacher

Our Guiding Teacher is Zen Master Jok Um, (Ken Kessel). ZM Jok Um received inka (authorization to teach in the Kwan Um School of Zen) in April 1996 from Zen Master...
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Events and Retreats

Retreats are an opportunity to deepen your practice. Retreats are an opportunity to deepen your practice. Retreats are an opportunity to deepen your practice. Retreats are an opportunity to deepen...
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Everyone is welcome to practice with us!

You can join us for Sunday evening practice in person or on Zoom. To attend in person at Joybird Books, please wear a mask. 

 There is no need to let us know in advance before attending  practice.  We also offer retreats from  half-day to multi-day – please attend our Sunday evening practice to learn more about retreat opportunities.

There is nothing special to know before attending. You do not need to have practiced Zen or even meditated before. We can give some simple instructions before practice if anyone needs them. Or, if you prefer to talk to someone and learn a little more before joining us at practice, please use the contact form.

There is no charge for our regular meditation practice. You may leave a donation.

We look forward to meeting you and hope we can be helpful in some way.

Latest News and Updates

Sitting into the New Year 2023/2024

Once again, the tradition continues: Sitting into the New Year – online/on Zoom this year. We will start sitting at 7pm (EST) and alternate 30 minute sits with 10 min walks until shortly before midnight. We then chant Kwan Seum Bosal (Bodhisattva of Compassion) into the New Year until ten...
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Sitting into the New Year

The tradition continues: Sitting into the New Year – online/on Zoom this year. We will start sitting at 8pm (EST) and alternate 30 minute sits with 10 min walks until shortly before midnight. We then chant Kwan Seum Bosal (Bodhisattva of Compassion) into the New Year until ten minutes or...
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Group photo after retreat
Group photo after weekend retreat
Zen teacher with one person sitting next to him
Zen Master Jok Um giving a talk. Jerome sits next to him.

New Website

We have recreated our website. Please excuse any mistakes or broken links that we may have overlooked in the process. This website is a work in progress.
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ZM Jok Um: How do we respond to hate?

Our Zen Center’s Guiding Teacher, Zen Master Jok Um (Ken Kessel), gave a talk at an interreligious group in New Haven CT. The group meets once a month for part of a year and visits member places of worship and shares thematic presentations. This year’s theme was responding to hate...
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Contact Us

Interested in meditating? We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us!