Kwan Yin Chan Lin Zen Centre (KYCL) was founded by Venerable Chi Boon in 1991. Its objective is to spread the Buddha’s true teaching so that KYCL may attain the true selves and help all sentient beings to relieve from suffering. By practicing the correct meditation, KYCL can find the correct direction of our lives and attain our true nature. We can also clearly perceive our correct situation, relationship and function at every moment, live in wisdom and compassion, to help our families, our friends, our country and this whole world to gain peace and happiness.
Ven. Chi Boon, also known in Korean as Gye Mun Sumin, is the abbot of KYCL. He was given ‘inka’ on 8 November 1998 by Zen Master Seung Sahn.
‘Inka’ means an acknowledgment of accomplishment in Zen practice. It is given by Zen Master Seung Sahn to senior students called Ji Do Poep Sa (Guides to the Way or Dharma Masters), who are authorized to teach Zen.
The name of our Zen Centre, “Kwan Yin Chan Lin”, carries a deep meaning. “Kwan” means to perceive and “Yin” means the sound of the world. “Kwan Yin” (in Korean, “Kwan Um”) means to perceive the sound within us, to remove our ignorance, attachment and incorrect mindset, and to practice the correct path. In addition, we should also perceive the sound of all sentient beings and help them to relieve from suffering and gain happiness. “Chan”, which is the Chinese word for Zen, represents simple and pure life. At present days, our lives are becoming more and more complicated, and many sufferings are made as a consequence. Zen practice can help us return to simple life and let our minds return to peace, tranquility, holiness and freedom. “Lin” means many tree. The many trees that make up a forest give it strength, and cannot be blown away by strong wind. “Chan Lin” represents many people practicing together so we can help each other and give each other strength to fulfil the great Buddhist vows.
Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927 – 2004) is the spiritual teacher of KYCL. He was born in 1927 in Seun Choen, North Korea and became a Buddhist monk in 1948. He received Dharma Transmission from Zen Master Ko Bong at the age of 22 and became the 78th Patriach in his line of succession in the Chogye order of Korean Buddhism, which traces all the way back to Zen Master Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch of the Chinese Zen Buddhism. To spread the Dharma, Zen Master Seung Sahn went to the United States and founded the Providence Zen Centre, the first center of the Kwan Um School of Zen, which now has more than 100 Zen centres all over the world.
EMail: kyclzen@singnet.com.sg
Website: www.kyclzen.org
