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

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. These essential practices form the foundation of Zen training, cultivating discipline, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the Dharma.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Format:
The program is fully online, with 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.