Soenghyang
Soeng Hyang, born Barbara Trexler and also known as Barbara Rhodes, is a prominent Zen Master and the guiding teacher of the international Kwan Um School of Zen. As a dharma heir to the late Zen Master Seung Sahn, she is recognized for her extensive teaching and leadership in Zen Buddhism, particularly within the Kwan Um tradition.
Key Facts
- ›Guiding teacher of the international Kwan Um School of Zen.
- ›Dharma heir to Zen Master Seung Sahn.
- ›Received inka (permission to teach) in 1977 and Dharma transmission in 1992.
- ›Author of "Composting our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening our Innate Wisdom."
- ›A registered nurse and retired hospice caregiver.
- ›Has been actively teaching and leading retreats globally and online.
Important Relationships
- Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim
- Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion Into Lessons For Awakening Our Innate Wisdom
- the Hidden Lamp: Stories From Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women
- A Gathering of Spirit: Women Teaching In American Buddhism
- Primary Point
- Providence Zen Center, Cumberland, Rhode Island
- San Francisco
- Rhode Island
Seung Sahn
About Soenghyang
Zen Master Soeng Hyang
Zen Master Soeng Hyang, whose birth name was Barbara Trexler and who was also known as Barbara Rhodes, is a significant figure in contemporary Zen Buddhism. She serves as the guiding teacher for the international Kwan Um School of Zen and is a dharma heir to the late Zen Master Seung Sahn, continuing his lineage and teachings.
Biography and Teachings
Born on April 15, 1948, Soeng Hyang's early life involved frequent moves due to her father's career as a Navy officer. In the 1960s, she engaged with the counter-cultural movement in California and briefly visited Tassajara Zen Monastery. Her path in Zen solidified when she met her teacher, Seung Sahn, in Rhode Island in 1972. She was a founding member of the Providence Zen Center, now located in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Soeng Hyang received inka, the formal permission to teach, from Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim in 1977 and achieved Dharma transmission in 1992. She remains an active teacher, leading retreats worldwide and through Kwan Um Zen Online, including intensive silent retreats like Yong Maeng Jong Jin and Kyol Che at the Providence Zen Center.
Contributions and Background
Beyond her teaching, Soeng Hyang is an author, with her notable work being "Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom." She has also contributed to other significant publications focusing on women in Buddhism and Zen teachings. Professionally, she is a registered nurse and a retired hospice caregiver, bringing a background of care and compassion to her spiritual leadership.
Personal Life
Soeng Hyang has two daughters, one of whom is adopted. She has been in a long-term same-sex relationship.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Soeng Hyang?
Soeng Hyang, born Barbara Trexler and also known as Barbara Rhodes, is a Zen Master and the guiding teacher of the international Kwan Um School of Zen. She is a dharma heir to the late Zen Master Seung Sahn.
When did Soeng Hyang receive her teaching authorization?
Soeng Hyang received inka, which is permission to teach, from Seung Sahn Soen Sa Nim in 1977. She later received Dharma transmission in 1992.
What are some notable works by Soeng Hyang?
She is the author of "Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom." Soeng Hyang has also contributed to "The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women," "A Gathering of Spirit: Women Teaching in American Buddhism," and "Primary Point."
What is Soeng Hyang's background before becoming a Zen teacher?
Before her extensive involvement in Zen practice and teaching, Soeng Hyang worked as a registered nurse and was a retired hospice caregiver.
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