A Korean-born Buddhist nun has established a series of Seon meditation centers in South Korea after training in the United States under a lineage of the Weiyang school of Chan Buddhism, a tradition not widely known in Korea.

Venerable Hyeon-an, 45, teaches at Bohwa Seonwon in central Seoul, near Jogyesa Temple. She is the author of American Monk’s Drift in Korea (Mogwa Tree 2026), which recounts her transition from a career in business to monastic life and meditation practice.

According to her account, Ven. Hyeon-an studied microbiology in South Korea and worked in the pharmaceutical industry before moving to the United States when she was 27. There she founded a cosmetics company that reached annual sales of US$2 million. Reflecting on that period, she recounted, “I could do whatever I wanted.” (The Chosun Daily)

Despite her success, she experienced persistent insomnia and began exploring various activities, including hiking, painting, and travel. Around 2013, she encountered Seon meditation through a program advertised as “Free Saturday Seon Meditation” at Nosansa Temple near Los Angeles. There she met Ven. Young-hwa, a Vietnamese-American monk who would become her teacher.

“When I first learned meditation, I had no interest in religion in Korea, so I just followed instructions, which was good,” she said. (The Chosun Daily)

The temple belongs to the Weiyang school, one of the traditional “Five Houses” of Chinese Chan Buddhism. Ven. Hyeon-an emphasized that the lineage she represents had developed in the US after the tradition had declined in China. “It’s not Chinese Weiyang but American Weiyang,” she explained. (The Chosun Daily)

The practice emphasizes full-lotus seated meditation (gyeolgabuja), extended retreats, and individualized instruction through one-on-one meetings with a teacher. Retreats, known as “Seon Seven-Day Intensive Retreats,” can last from a week to two months. Ven. Hyeon-an said she began adjusting her business schedule to participate in these retreats, spending extended periods in practice during summer and winter.

In 2019, her teacher encouraged her to ordain and return to South Korea to help establish a temple. During a meal, she recalled, her teacher told her: “You should go.” (The Chosun Daily)

She subsequently ordained and returned to Korea in early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her first center, Bosansa near Cheongju, operated out of a repurposed building. Its location near Osong KTX Station enabled access for domestic and international practitioners. She later opened Boraseonwon in Bundang and Bohwa Seonwon in Seoul.

Hyeon-an has described differences between Buddhist practice in Korea and in the United States, particularly in the role of lay support. During her quarantine on returning to Korea, she attempted to undertake a fasting retreat but accepted food provided by lay supporters, noting the difficulty of refusing such offerings.

The centers have attracted Korean practitioners and visitors from abroad. According to the account, more than 10 individuals had ordained under Ven. Young-hwa in Korea since 2020. Korean monastics have also supported the initiative, including Ven. Hyun-jin of Mayasa and Ven. Simsan of Hongbeopsa in Busan, who has organized monthly “American Seon Meditation” programs.

ven. Hyeon-an’s book highlights the teaching approach of her teacher, who advised restraint in instruction: “Don’t teach before being asked.” Ven. Hyeon-an expressed agreement with this approach, stating: “Kindness is better than imposing knowledge.” (The Chosun Daily)

Summarizing the teachings of the Weiyang school, Ven. Hyeon-an said, “‘Endure suffering; do not give up.’ Weiyang’s teachings are simple and clear. Although difficult, following them built unshakable mental strength and joy in practice.” (The Chosun Daily)

Buddhism remains a major religion in South Korea, although its share of the population has declined in recent decades. According to national census data, approximately 15–20 per cent of South Koreans identify as Buddhist, compared with higher proportions identifying as Christian or unaffiliated. At the same time, new forms of practice, including meditation programs influenced by global Buddhist movements, have gained popularity among younger practitioners, reflecting broader trends in the internationalization of Buddhist traditions.

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