Our Zen Center

What is the Isthmus Zen Community?

The Isthmus Zen Community (IZC) was established in 1996 and is part of the Kwan Um School of Zen, which was founded in the early 1970s by Zen Master Seung Sahn, the first Korean Zen Master to live and teach in the West. We meet in order to support each other in the practice of Zen, and to make group practice and Zen training available to others.

The IZC is a sangha, a Buddhist term for a community dedicated to supporting each other in the practice of Zen. We come together from many different backgrounds, and while some of us have been practicing for years, others of us are just beginning to explore Zen.

We support each other in the practice of Zen and work to make Zen teaching and group practice available to all who are interested. Some of us are long-time practitioners, while others are fairly new to Zen practice. Everyone is welcome! We offer:

Meditation instruction
Introduction to Zen Practice (3rd Wednesday each month)
One-day, two-day, and week long Zen meditation retreats
Public talks by visiting Zen teachers
Interviews with our Guiding Teacher
Buddha's Birthday and Buddha's Enlightenment Day observances
Social events for members, family and friends of the sangha

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the Isthmus Zen Community is one of more than 100 centers and groups affiliated with the Kwan Um School of Zen, Cumberland, Rhode Island.