Three-night, four-day training in Gongju in October covers everything from hwadu Seon meditation to sound meditation; applications close Sept. 30
The Future Planning Office of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism will hold a Seon meditation instructor training program from Oct. 6 to 9 at the Korean Cultural Training Center in Gongju. The program is part of preparations for the global expansion of Seon meditation and is designed to strengthen the practical training and guidance skills of instructors who will lead Seon meditation programs.
After four years of bringing Seon meditation to the public, the focus now turns to training instructors
Seon meditation is an initiative led by Ven. Ilgam, secretary-general of the Jogye Order's Future Planning Office. It became a central project of the order after Ven. Jinwoo took office as the 37th head of the order's General Affairs Office. The practice adapts ganhwa Seon, a distinctive Korean Buddhist meditation method, into contemporary language. Rather than emphasizing intense immersion in a hwadu, it focuses on stopping thought. Materials published by the Future Planning Office say the approach is rooted in the Buddhist middle way: When the mind clouded by greed and anger is calmed, its original wisdom emerges.
Four years after the initiative began, it has moved past major events such as the International Seon Meditation Convention and the distribution of programs to individual temples. It is now entering a phase focused on training people to teach directly in the field. A similar instructor training course was offered in 2024 with a capacity of 50. The decision to recruit 60 this time suggests that interest in learning Seon meditation is gradually broadening.
From hwadu practice to singing bowls, four days packed with hands-on training
[Image: Hands practicing tea meditation with a teacup in the foreground, or a sound meditation scene featuring a singing bowl — Unsplash and Pexels candidates to be checked using searches for "tea meditation" and "singing bowl meditation"]
The training emphasizes learning through practice rather than theory. Participants will take part in six programs: hwadu Seon meditation, compassion meditation, breathing meditation, walking meditation, tea meditation and sound meditation. Training in counseling techniques is also included, covering not only how to guide meditation practice but also how to attend to participants' emotional well-being. Trainees will reorganize the programs in groups, conduct demonstrations and present their work. They will also work together to consider how to expand Seon meditation.
The lectures will examine Seon meditation's place in the global meditation landscape, how to plan and operate programs, and what is needed to bring the practice to a wider audience. The goal is to develop skills that can be used immediately in the field by moving between classroom instruction and hands-on practice.
A look at the schedule
On the first day, Oct. 6, registration begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Lectures in the main lecture hall of the Great Seon Hall will cover what Seon meditation is and the global development of meditation. The second day will be devoted during the day to hands-on practice in hwadu Seon meditation, compassion meditation and breathing meditation, followed in the evening by a lecture on program planning and operations. The third day will feature practice in tea meditation, sound meditation and counseling techniques. On the final day, participants will complete walking meditation practice before attending a closing Dharma talk and graduation ceremony. The certificate will also lead into the order's formal certification process for Seon meditation instructors.
Program limited to monks affiliated with the Jogye Order, not the general public
The program is open to Dharma instructors already leading programs at temples that operate Seon meditation programs or temple stays, as well as any monk interested in Seon meditation. It is not open to the general public and is intended for monks affiliated with the Jogye Order. The program will accept 60 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted through a Google Form from Sept. 9 through 4 p.m. on Sept. 30, following the instructions on the official Seon meditation website. The participation fee is 300,000 won.
Training leaders to guide Seon meditation and strengthen instructors' skills
Each additional Dharma instructor means another place where people can encounter Seon meditation. The Future Planning Office said it hopes the training will strengthen the instructors' outreach and teaching abilities and serve as a foundation for contributing to the peace of mind of all people, including Buddhists.