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About Mumunsa Zen Center

About Mumunsa Zen Center :
History
Dharma Hall & Annex


The Center is located in the City of Rochester Hills, 25 miles north of Detroit, Michigan. Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, with Canada to the north and east, the states of Ohio and Indiana to the south, and the state of Illinois to the west. Two major metropolitan cities in the North American continent, Chicago and Toronto are located within 4 - 5 hours driving distance. Detroit is the heart of the world center of automotive industry and home for international headquarters of General Motors, Ford Motors, and Daimler-Chrysler.

The Korean population in the area is 20,000 approximately, which is smaller than other major cities in the US but still significant. Detroit vicinity alone has about 5,000 Koreans. A Majority of the population are families of engineers who are working for the automotive industries, medical professionals, and students. Their living standard is above average, and their educational levels are greater than medium. Among other colleges, two prestigious universities reside in Michigan; Michigan State University in Lansing, capital city of state of Michigan, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Both cities also have significant Korean population.

There are numerous Protestant churches and one Roman Catholic Church to serve the Korean community in the area. For local Buddhists, Detroit Zen Center is located in the City of Detroit, and Sunryunsa Temple is located in Ann Arbor.

The Center was incorporated in 1983 when Suk Doe-Mahn s'nim came to America after his studies in Japan. Two existing Korean temples, Koryosa and Sunkooksa, consolidated and renamed to Mumunsa, and the Venerable Suk Doe-Mahn s'nim became the first resident minister of the temple. The name Mumunsa implies "There is no gate for a great mind", which is the aspiration to open hearts while removing that of suffering, peril, and obsession.

Initially, the services held at Sunkooksa Temple which was a rental space in a medial clinic building. In 1984, the center moved to Novi, Michigan. One year after opening, the city declared that the building was unsuitable for assembly, and the Court ordered to close. After several months of heart-rending anguish, the temple was able to reopen in Troy in 1986. It was the earnest desire of the Sangha to acquire permanent quarters for a temple, which we accomplished through the acquisition of the present site in Rochester Hills in 1989.


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Last updated on 4.24, 2002
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