The Way of Clear Mind, Clear Thinking and Clear Action
Shim Gum Do is an embodiment of Zen and Martial Arts. Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim began formal Zen study and practice by entering the Hwa Gye Sa in Seoul, Korea under the tutelage of Zen Master Seung Sahn Lee at a young age. After several years of practice, Zen Master Chang Sik Kim underwent a retreat, to attempt to achieve enlightenment.
What is enlightenment? To speak in words of something is not the thing itself. 'Enlightenment' is the great Zen experience of attaining the state of all knowing, of elevating the consciousness, of perceiving beyond the senses and the self, attaining complete emptiness, becoming one with all. During this retreat, the forms of Shim Gum Do were revealed to Zen Master Chang Sik Kim through his elevated state and he ultimately attained Mind Sword enlightenment. Zen Master Chang Sik Kim has brought to life a new art form which transcends the traditional forms of Zen and martial arts by bringing together the non action of Zen meditation and action through the Shim Gum Do forms.
Shim Gum Do is a complete system of meditation and action meditation encompassing an entire martial system which includes: Sword, Shin Boep (which translates to mean Body Dharma), Ho Shin Sul (which translates to mean self-defense), Long Stick, Two Sword and Short Stick.
Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim lives and teaches at Shim Gwang Sa, the Mind Light Temple which is located in Brighton a Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood. He is called Sa Bu Nim by his students, which means father teacher. Shim Gwang Sa is home to World Shim Gum Do Association and American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association and offers ongoing classes, meditation sessions and a residential training program.
Dharma Talk Friday June 2nd – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday June 2nd for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association has been awarded Historical Preservation Grants From Boston Community Preservation Act (CPA) and Massachusetts Historical (MHC).
During the winter of 2020 – 2021 there was significant water leakage in our bell tower. A Conditions Assessment Survey revealed that due to years of water infiltration, the mortar had deteriorated, causing serious structural failures of the bell tower creating a “priority 1 life safety issue” due to a cracked lintel that was threatening to fall through the roof. The estimated cost of restoring the bell tower was more than $700,000.
In searching for ways to fund the restoration of the bell tower of our historic building, we were referred to Historic Preservation Consultant, Jeffrey Gonyeau. Our 1894 Temple is recognized as a historic asset of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and we are also located in the Aberdeen Architectural Conservation District of Boston. Jeffrey guided us through the historical preservation grant process. We worked with Structures North engineers, who specialize in historic preservation, to analyze and develop our bell tower restoration project.
It has been a long process to develop the design, analysis and summary reports needed for the grant application. Finally, this month we were awarded a Boston CPA Historic Preservation grant in the amount of $500,000 and an MHC Emergency Grant in the amount of $50,000!
On Monday, Yankee Steeplejack completed installing emergency stabilization of the badly cracked lintel. We have finally started the work of preserving our 1894 Bell Tower!
Thank you, Boston CPA and Massachusetts Historical Commission!
Dharma Talk Friday May 5th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday May 5th for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday April 7th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday April 7th for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Sa Bu Nim is Forever in Our Hearts and Minds
We honor Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim who passed away two years ago, on March 12, 2021. Sa Bu Nim will always be in our hearts and minds.
Sa Bu Nim gave us the great Dharma of Shim Gum Do – the Mind Sword Path. Sa Bu Nim taught us the way of clear mind, clear thinking and clear action. By training Shim Gum Do we keep Sa Bu Nim’s Dharma alive. If we are clear; our clarity brings truth and brightness to our families, our cities, our countries and to all humanity. This was Sa Bu Nim’s great gift to our planet.
A message from Shim Gum Do Italia – Maestro Mario Amelio:
Honoring is not enough
Remembering is not enough
Loving is not enough
Being there is important!
Dharma Talk Friday March 3rd – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday March 3rd for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday February 3rd – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday February 3rd for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Happy Korean New Year of the Water Rabbit!
Today, January 23, 2023 is the Korean New Year; it is the year of the Water Rabbit. In Korea, the Water Rabbit serves as a symbol of prosperity, longevity and wisdom.
A new year is a new beginning. We pray this year for good luck, good health and great love and great compassion. Use Shim Gum Do – the Mind Sword Path to
keep clear mind, clear thinking and clear action.
Happy 79th Birthday Sa Bu Nim!
You gave us the Great Dharma of Shim Gum Do, Mind Sword Path, the way of clear mind, clear thinking and clear action.
We always remember you with great love and great compassion. We especially honor you today, January 8th, 2023, on your 79th Birthday.
Shim Gum Do is eternal because it lives in all of us and we continue to pass on Shim Gum Do and your teaching now and into the future. We are eternally grateful to you, Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
Dharma Talk Friday January 6th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
It is a New Year; it is a good time to take time to reflect.
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday January 6th for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Happy New Year 2023!
Today is January 1st, 2023.
What is your direction? What is it that you want?
Today, take the time to clear your mind and focus on your goals.
Today it is the beginning of a new year.
Use Shim Gum Do training to make a clear mind, clear thinking and clear action;
Moment by moment, go straight toward what it is you want.
I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Joyful and Successful New Year, 2023!
Sincerely,
Chong Kwan Jang Nim
Dharma Talk Friday December 2nd – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday December 2nd for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Our Shim Gwang Sa Temple Needs Help
The bell tower of our temple needs to be restored. American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association has applied for a historical preservation grant from Boston’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) for 2023. Critical emergency work is needed to stabilize the bell tower prior to the onset of winter
Tuesday November 29th is giving Tuesday. If you are able to help us with a donation of any amount it would be greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you from Chong Kwan Jang Nim
Dharma Talk Friday November 4th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday November 4th for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday October 7th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
Come join us on Friday October 5th for our free meditation and reading of a Dharma Talk given by Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim.
There will be a short demonstration of the Zen martial art Shim Gum Do after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
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World Shim Gum Do Association, Inc.
American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association, Inc.
203 Chestnut Hill Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02135 USA
Telephone: (617) 787-1506
Fax: (617) 787-2708
Contact Form