Memorial Ceremony for Sa Bu Nim Video
The video of the Memorial Ceremony for Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim has been uploaded and is now available. He will forever be in our hearts and minds.
The Way of Clear Mind, Clear Thinking and Clear Action
By ShimSan
Memorial Ceremony for Sa Bu Nim Video
The video of the Memorial Ceremony for Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim has been uploaded and is now available. He will forever be in our hearts and minds.
By ShimSan
Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim passed away peacefully at Shim Gwang Sa on Friday March 12, 2021.
Known as “Sa Bu Nim” (father teacher) he was the creator of Shim Gum Do (Mind Sword Path), an integrated practice of Zen martial arts and meditation. With branches in Italy and Korea, Shim Gum Do’s world headquarters, Shim Gwang Sa (Mind Light Temple), is in the historic 1894 First Parish in Brighton stone church on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton, Massachusetts.
Sa Bu Nim was born in a small farming village in Korea in 1944. When he was 13 he entered the Hwa Gye Sa temple of the Jogye Order of Zen Buddhism and began his formal Zen training under Zen Master Seung Sahn Lee, Dae Seon Sa Nim. Dae Seon Sa Nim gave him the precept’s name “Won Gwang” (Universal Light).
When he was 21, Sa Bu Nim underwent a 100-day meditation retreat and during that time attained Mind Sword enlightenment. Following his retreat he began teaching his path, emphasizing compassion and meditation through the practice of his martial arts. He always said that Shim Gum Do training was about developing a clear mind, clear thinking and clear action. He came to America in 1974 and became a United States citizen in 1985.
In addition to his teaching, Sa Bu Nim was an accomplished calligraphy artist and poet. He has written more than 83,000 poems, some of which are published in his 18 poetry books beginning with The Pillow Head Collects Your Dreams in 1996. His work has been translated into Korean, French, Spanish, Persian and Japanese. In 2014 he was awarded the International PEN Korean Center’s Special Literature Award for his book Great Nature: Poems for All of Nature. He has also written two books about Shim Gum Do.
He is survived by his wife, Shim Gum Do Head Master Mary Jeanette Stackhouse, a large extended family, and by the worldwide Shim Gum Do Family of Heroes.
Due to the COVID Pandemic, no public gathering is scheduled at this time. All are invited to join virtually in a ceremony to honor Sa Bu Nim on Saturday March 20th @ 11 AM EST via a live feed through Facebook and Instagram
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association:
By ShimSan
February Shim Gwang Sa COVID Update
It is Winter here in Boston and Shim Gwang Sa continues to be closed. It is hard to believe that it has been more than a year of living in the COVID Pandemic. We are more hopeful now that the COVID vaccination program is moving forward in Massachusetts. It is still too early to know when we will be able to resume any of our activities. We will keep posting updates about how things are progressing. If you would like to receive email updates, please contact us here: CONTACT US
By ShimSan
83,000 Poems!
Though 2020 was a challenging year, remarkable things still happened. On December 29th, Sa Bu Nim wrote his 83,000th poem.
Sa Bu Nim teaches us through his actions the importance for all of us to keep focused on our goals.
As 2021 begins during the ongoing COVID pandemic and civil discord in our country, it is important to continue to take time to focus on why we train Shim Gum Do:
For a clear mind, clear thinking and clear action.
By ShimSan
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 October 3rd – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
@ Shim Gwang Sa Mind Light Temple – 203 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday October 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk. All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday September 5th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday September 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday August 1st – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday August 1st 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Happy 51st Anniversary to Sa Bu Nim!
Today is the 51st Anniversary of Sa Bu Nim arriving in the United States of America.
One of the most important days in Sa Bu Nim’s life was June 25, 1974, the day he arrived in the United States of America. He was proud of his Korean heritage and equally proud of becoming a United States Citizen.
Today, let us remember, honor and celebrate and Sa Bu Nim and his legacy. We will always be grateful to Sa Bu Nim for bringing his gift of the Universal Light and Wisdom of Shim Gum Do to us.
We love you Sa Bu Nim!
Dharma Talk Friday June 6th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday June 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday May 2nd – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday May 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday April 4th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday April 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Shim Gum Do is the way of Clear Mind, Clear Thinking, and Clear Action
Today we honor Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim who passed away four years ago, on March 12, 2021.
Sa Bu Nim, you gave us the great Dharma of Shim Gum Do – the Mind Sword Path – the way of clear mind, clear thinking and clear action. If we are clear; our clarity brings truth and brightness to those around us. The Universal Light of Shim Gum Do’s Dharma continues to shine; spreading out all over our planet and throughout the universe.
Sa Bu Nim, you are always in our hearts and minds.
We are forever grateful for Shim Gum Do
Dharma Talk Friday March 7th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday March 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Happy Korean New Year of the Blue Wood Snake!
Today, January 29, 2025, is the Korean New Year; it is the year of the Blue Wood Snake symbolizing revival, wise improvements and new beginnings.
A new year is a new beginning. We pray this year for good luck, good health, success and great love and great compassion. Use Shim Gum Do – the Mind Sword Path to keep clear mind, clear thinking and clear action and achieve your goals!
(Image is a Korean Rat Snake, Attributed to Korean National Institute of Biological Resources)
Happy 81st Birthday Sa Bu Nim!
You gave us the Great Dharma of Shim Gum Do, the Mind Sword Path, the way of clear mind, clear thinking and clear action.
We will always remember you with great love and great compassion. We especially honor you today, January 8th, 2025, on your 81st Birthday.
Shim Gum Do is eternal; 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.
HAPPY 81ST BIRTHDAY SA BU NIM!
Dharma Talk Friday December 6th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday December 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday November 1st – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday November 1st 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Dharma Talk Friday October 4th – 5:45 – 7:30 PM
A Great Zen Master asks: Do you know your own mind? Can you see your own mind?
What is it that you want? What are you looking for?
Come join us on Friday October 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, the Mind Sword Path, after the Dharma Talk.
All are welcome!
Happy 50th Anniversary to Sa Bu Nim!
Today is the 50th Anniversary of Sa Bu Nim arriving in the United States of America.
One of the most important days in Sa Bu Nim’s life was June 25, 1974, the day he arrived in the United States of America. He was proud of his Korean heritage and equally proud of becoming a United States Citizen.
Today, let us remember, honor and celebrate and Sa Bu Nim and his legacy. We will always be grateful to Sa Bu Nim for bringing his gift of the Universal Light and Wisdom of Shim Gum Do to us.
We love you Sa Bu Nim!
October 2025 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|||
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
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