Furnace Mountain
Furnace Mountain, officially known as Kwan Se Um San Ji Sah, is an American Zen Buddhist retreat center located in Clay City, Kentucky. Co-founded in 1986, it was initially part of the Kwan Um School of Zen but is now unaffiliated. The center is situated on 850 acres within a section of the Daniel Boone National Forest, modeled after traditional Korean Buddhist temples.
Key Facts
- ›Co-founded in 1986 by Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim and Dae Gak Soen Sa Nim.
- ›Located on 850 acres in the Red River Gorge area of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
- ›The main Meditation Hall was completed in 1990, and the temple itself was constructed and opened in 1994.
- ›The exact site was chosen using geomantic divination to promote harmony.
- ›Currently unaffiliated with the Kwan Um School of Zen in an official capacity.
- ›The Abbot and guiding teacher is Dae Gak Zen Master.
Important Relationships
- Kwan Um School of Zen
- Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim
- Dae Gak Soen Sa Nim
- Daniel Boone National Forest
- The Red River Gorge
Main Meditation Hall, Traditional Korean Buddhist Temple Design
Co-Founding In 1986, Completion of Meditation Hall In 1990, Temple Construction and Opening In 1994
Traditional Korean Buddhist
About Furnace Mountain
Furnace Mountain, officially known as Kwan Se Um San Ji Sah, is a significant Zen Buddhist retreat center located in Clay City, Kentucky. Established in 1986, it was co-founded by Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim and Dae Gak Soen Sa Nim. While initially part of the international Kwan Um School of Zen, the center now operates independently.
Location and Design
The retreat is situated on an expansive 850-acre property within a section of the Daniel Boone National Forest, specifically in the scenic Red River Gorge area. The architectural design of Kwan Se Um San Ji Sah is modeled after traditional Korean Buddhist temples. The selection of the precise location was guided by geomantic divination, a practice intended to foster an atmosphere of harmony and spiritual balance.
Development and Key Figures
Major construction milestones include the completion of the main Meditation Hall in 1990 and the opening of the temple itself in 1994. Dae Gak Zen Master currently serves as the Abbot and guiding teacher of Furnace Mountain, continuing its tradition of Zen practice and study. The center provides a space for practitioners to engage in meditation and deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Furnace Mountain?
Furnace Mountain, also known as Kwan Se Um San Ji Sah, is a Zen Buddhist retreat center in Kentucky. It serves as a place for meditation and spiritual practice, modeled after traditional Korean Buddhist temples.
When was Furnace Mountain founded?
Furnace Mountain was co-founded in 1986. The main Meditation Hall was completed in 1990, and the temple structure itself was built and opened in 1994.
Where is Furnace Mountain located?
Furnace Mountain is situated in Clay City, Kentucky, on 850 acres of woodland within The Daniel Boone National Forest, specifically in The Red River Gorge area.
Is Furnace Mountain still affiliated with the Kwan Um School of Zen?
While Furnace Mountain was initially founded as part of the Kwan Um School of Zen, it is now unaffiliated with the school in an official capacity.
Who is the guiding teacher at Furnace Mountain?
The current Abbot and guiding teacher at Furnace Mountain is Dae Gak Zen Master.
Related Buddhist Temples
Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple
Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple was a Zen Buddhist center located in Detroit, Michigan, founded by P'arang Geri Larkin. It served as a welcoming community for people of all backgrounds to engage in Buddhist practices and teachings, tracing its lineage to Korean Buddhism.
Zen Center of Los Angeles
The Zen Center of Los Angeles (ZCLA), also known as Buddha Essence Temple, is a significant Zen Buddhist center established in 1967 by Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi. Practicing within the White Plum lineage, ZCLA is dedicated to the mission of knowing the Self, upholding Buddhist precepts, and serving others through the teaching and transmission of Zen Buddhism.
Upaya Institute and Zen Center
Upaya Institute and Zen Center is a residential Zen practice center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, founded by Joan Halifax Roshi. It emphasizes the integration of Zen practice with social action, cultivating wisdom and compassion, and providing services in areas such as death and dying, prison work, and environmental and women's rights advocacy.