Zen Buddhist Temple of Ann Arbor

Zen Buddhist Temple of Ann Arbor Weekly Public Services: Sundays 10 a.m.

Upcoming Meditation Courses at Zen Buddhist Temple for Peace of MindSimple stretching exercises, work with the breath, m...
09/07/2026

Upcoming Meditation Courses at Zen Buddhist Temple for Peace of Mind

Simple stretching exercises, work with the breath, meditation postures, concentration, and mindfulness practice….everything you need to know to support your own home practice!

Our next class meets from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for 5 weeks, beginning September 10th https://AnnArborZenTempleClassRegistration.as.me/Sep10th5Thursdays

We also offer this same course in an overnight format......come for instruction at the Temple on Friday evening, sleep over at the temple and then finish class on Saturday morning, September 25-26.
https://AnnArborZenTempleClassRegistration.as.me/September25-26

Memories of Peace Camp 2026.
08/20/2026

Memories of Peace Camp 2026.

We won't leave you hanging! Here's a little gallery of photos taken during Toan Sunim and Bopkong's visit.
07/23/2026

We won't leave you hanging! Here's a little gallery of photos taken during Toan Sunim and Bopkong's visit.

Two months with Toan Sunim and Bopkong đź’žOur Temple and Sangha have been blessed by the presence attention and deep pract...
07/23/2026

Two months with Toan Sunim and Bopkong đź’ž
Our Temple and Sangha have been blessed by the presence attention and deep practice of these two extraordinary humans. Toan is Dharma Master of the Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom and Priest at our Mexico City Temple. Bopkong is Priest and Jeolrector also at our Mexico City Temple.
During their stay Toan led a meditation workshop that was well-attended, they both helped lead services, and they led a cooperative effort by our Sangha volunteers to hang a beautiful mosaic, created by Toan, on the front of the Buddha Hall. Damage to the front of our building was repaired and improved in the process with new panels hand plastered using natural pigments.
Curious about how it all turned out? You'll have to come and see!

From power washing, to drywall, to a myriad of repairs, and sometimes even helping with art installations, our Maintenan...
07/22/2026

From power washing, to drywall, to a myriad of repairs, and sometimes even helping with art installations, our Maintenance Crew are beloved essential workers who do so much to keep the Temple safe, healthy, and beautiful.
If you have specialized repair/maintenance skills, please consider joining our crew of Bodhisattvas! Regular work-days every Saturday afternoon, plus on-call care for emergent situations. Snacks and Dharma friends included.
Please email us if you're interested or have questions.
[email protected]

A warm welcome to Dharma Master of our Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom, Ven. Toan Sunim. He is resident priest...
06/16/2026

A warm welcome to Dharma Master of our Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom, Ven. Toan Sunim. He is resident priest and artist at our Mexico City Temple, and in residence here at our Temple from June 8-24th. Following are dharma opportunities with him.

Meditation workshop, Saturday, June 20th
Designed for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, who wish to study meditation and lead a life of simplicity and clarity. It includes practical instruction on meditation postures, mindful breathing, concentration and opening of one’s wisdom eye.
$100/$80 members. Scholarships available.

Please register online, or by calling/emailing the temple.

Membership Sittings: Toan Sunim will lead the following:
Wednesday evening, June 17th, 6:30-8:30
Early Sundays, June 14th and 21st, 6:30-8:00am
The sittings will consist of rounds of seated meditation, walking meditation, and individual meditation interviews.

Spend some time with Toan Sunim and our temple clergy and residents over a delicious lunch in the sangha house on weekdays throughout his stay. Please arrive by 12:50 for the meal. Advance notice is appreciated.

Zen Meditation Workshop June 20 2026Saturday, June 20, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. A special Meditation Workshop will be offered...
06/16/2026

Zen Meditation Workshop June 20 2026

Saturday, June 20, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. A special Meditation Workshop will be offered by Dharma Master Toan Sunim, resident priest at our Mexico City Temple. The workshop is designed for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike who wish to study meditation and lead a life of simplicity and clarity. It includes practical instruction on meditation postures, mindful breathing, concentration and opening of one's wisdom eye.
$80members/$100non-members. Scholarships available.

https://annarborzentempleclassregistration.as.me/schedule/b9eda6e8

Why learn Meditation?​Meditation is the heart of Buddhism and the direct path to freedom and enlightenment.The prevailin...
06/16/2026

Why learn Meditation?

​

Meditation is the heart of Buddhism and the direct path to freedom and enlightenment.The prevailing spirit of Buddhist teachings and meditation practice is that one is always capable of helping oneself regardless of one's situation. It is the Buddhist belief that common, ordinary beings are Buddhas, that is, unattained Buddhas. However, we usually lack full trust in ourselves and as a result, all too easily relinquish our trust and willpower to outside agents. Meditation practice challenges this lack of trust and willpower from the very outset. Any sincere and serious practitioner of Buddhist meditation soon realizes that one cannot sit in meditation for long without both accepting one's life and the world, for meditation is a world-affirming and a life-renewing experience. Beginners follow the three guidelines: simplicity, clarity, and spiritual strength.

Benefits of Meditation PracticeYou learn how to be peaceful, content and happy and to develop a spiritual attitude to yo...
06/16/2026

Benefits of Meditation Practice

You learn how to be peaceful, content and happy and to develop a spiritual attitude to your life.

People living in the consumer society suffer from an excess of materialism and lack of spiritual values. The result is a lot of worry and a lack of peace of mind. Peace of mind is your single most important asset for it is the basis of a happy life. The most simple and wholesome way of attaining peace of mind is to learn to sit still and stop worrying through the cultivation of ocean mind and "let go" practice. At the same time, it is important to embrace spiritual values such as gratitude and reverence.

You learn to concentrate your mind and take care of this present moment.

Modern society is complex, fragmented and full of distractions. There is a general lack of purpose and moral integrity in people's lives. Many feel helpless and unhappy. There are two ways you can help yourself. One is awareness: you have to become fully aware of yourself and your own life by paying attention. The other is concentration: you have to stop running after distractions and start taking care of your present life for the sake of the world. The sooner the better. Focused attention and concentrated mind take care of this very moment of your life, which is the most precious thing in your life and contains both your past and future.

​You learn to strive for right livelihood and compassionate living and to become accountable for your actions.

Ahimsa or non-violence is the first Buddhist precept. First you must start to lead a harmless life of non-injury, not hurting, not wasting and not polluting. It requires attention and a mindful attitude. You learn to take good care of things at hand. Life lived fully in each moment is the end and purpose in itself and not the means for something else. Thus, each task you perform becomes an awakening of your heart and fulfillment of your life. Buddhist life, in short, is no other than a life of full heart and enlightenment.

"Meditation practice can help bring peace and happiness to the world. No one is too sinful to do meditation,no one is to...
06/16/2026

"Meditation practice can help bring peace and happiness to the world. No one is too sinful to do meditation,

no one is too wrong to meditate. It takes only willingness to begin meditation and a resolve to continue.

One should never underestimate what one's sincere commitment to meditation practice can do for the world."

—Venerable Samu Sunim

Address

1214 Packard Street
Ann Arbor, MI
48104

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