Learn ancient art of Buddhist meditiation at Troy Zen center

Quieting the mind of noise and distraction is more difficult than one may think — it can require training.

The Venerable Hoden Sunim, a Buddhist monk from Birmingham, spent about 12 years training and learning to center himself and his mind.

He shares his knowledge by hosting an Introduction to Buddhism and meditation class on Feb. 10 at Dharma Gate Zen Center in Troy. Since opening the Zen Center almost four years ago, Sunim has been teaching this class about once a quarter each year, fine-tuning it along the way.

A $25 donation is suggested for the class, but payment is not required to participate. Dharma Gate Zen Center is a nonprofit organization, and the Zen Center, or Zendo, is funded 100 percent on donations.

A Sunday service will bring anywhere from 40-50 people within their sangha, the Sanskrit word for assembly or community. To accommodate their growing numbers, Sunim is looking to expand the Zendo to a larger space this spring.

Although Buddhism is rich with traditional practices and teachings, Sunim takes a more contemporary approach at Dharma Gate and his introductory course.

“We are a temple. I’m officially a monk and we do official things like ceremonies and act in that capacity, but we were specific to say we are a zen center and not a Buddhist temple because we do have a number of people that come in and aren’t interested in Buddhism and are interested in mediation,” he says. “I want to make sure people don’t have a barrier and understand everyone is welcome.”

Sunim, who earned a bachelor of fine arts from Marygrove College in Detroit and an associates degree in Buddhist Studies from Don-Bank Seminary in South Korea, was ordained as a samanera (monk) at Seonamsa Monastery in 2010 and as a Bhikkhu in 2016 through the Taego Order in Seoul, South Korea.

The intro to Buddhism and meditation class was originally two separate events — one for Buddhism and one for meditation.

Buddhism dates back 2,600 years and has been influenced by migration and culture with differences depending on country of origin and school of thought. Through these different concepts of Buddhism, Sunim’s goal is to help people integrate meditation into their lives.

“I understand (Buddhism) is a very complex thing,” he said. “I like this to be a very approachable, contemporary, understandable view of basic concepts, so attendees have a good grounding of what Buddhism is.”

Sunim trained in the mountains of Southern Korea and traditional to Buddhist culture, but he wants the class to have a more practical approach.

The course samples different practices, including different ways of sitting, how to use prayer beads and how to use your mind and concentrate.

“We are trying to make things practical,” he says. “I’m not looking for deep esoteric teachings. We are trying to find a path to help people feel a little better in their own contemporary lives and Dharma Gate as become a center for that.”

Opening Dharma Gate Zen Center, Sunim was traditional in how he taught and approached his sangha — he would chant in Korean, shave his head and wear robes. Over time he realized it wasn’t the most approachable method and adapted to what people were looking for.

“Sangha is a place where people can come together to share ideas or troubles and get answers and be able to explore what’s going on in their lives,” he says.

Although Dharma Gate Zen Center holds weekly traditional Buddhist ceremonies, Sunim wants it to be a place of comfort for all people looking to practice meditation and center themselves.

“I’d love for people in the west to understand that you can overcome a lot of trouble and things you’re not satisfied with, along with suffering,” he said. “There is a way to change your life. You are in control of your life. You can do whatever you want and be whoever you want.”

Sunim says Buddhism is a lifestyle rather than a religion.

“It’s about living in the world that you’re in, in the body that you’re in and becoming the person you think will be more satisfied. It can fundamentally change the way you think and live your life.”

• If you go: Intro to Buddhism and Meditation, 12:30-3 p.m. Feb. 10 at Dharma Gate Zen Center, 330 E. Maple, Suite X in Troy. Suggested donation, $25. RSVP by emailing hoden108@gmail.com. For more information about Dharma Gate Zen Center, visit dharmagatezen.org/.