Detroit Zen Center

Have learned meditation here, have become a daily meditator as a result. Its a very rare place better than any app, definitely not new age, the real deal imo. Feeling of a pioneer spirit, old Zen in a new world. Very well trained and good meditation teacher monk. Kind community.

Amazing place with hand made rustic beautiful spaces . Came for a guided zen morning. Shocked to find this is Hamtramck perfect location in a way. Heartfelt teachers and cats joined the tea and Q&A! Expected a commercial vibe but it was not.

Welcoming Community. Came to visit from CLE and everyone made me feel comfortable. When I come to Detroit again I will definitely visit.

I stayed at the Detroit Zen Center for six months, and it was a truly special experience. The monks were incredibly kind, and living with the residents created a strong sense of community. I felt completely at home there. It’s a very social environment where people from all walks of life come and stay for a few months, and I was fortunate to meet many wonderful individuals—some of whom have become my closest friends. Myungju and Tsunim were especially welcoming. They supported me during my transition from Syria to the United States, offering not only help in the beginning but continued guidance throughout my stay. Myeongju, in particular, went out of her way to help with many challenges I faced—she even made me soup and food when I was sick. The Detroit Zen Center is filled with meaningful memories, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I recommend this center to anyone seeking comfort, warmth and a sense of community. Ps: this is clearly not a hotel, so don’t expect it to be.

I had the great pleasure of attending a Sunday meditation and enjoying brunch with friends in the Zen Cafe located in Living Zen Organics on the lower level. A fantastic vibe from this historic place. Very much looking forward to stopping by the Detroit Zen Center again the Zen monks are outstanding people.

My affinity for taking moments of quiet, internal reflection and self-prescribed “righteous” tasks led me to begin formal zen practice with the Detroit Zen Center in 2020. My experience being a part of this community serves as a constant reminder that my energy makes a difference no matter where I choose to place it. I value the interactions had in this space because they always carry a pleasant spirit of care and dedication to the welfare of the zen community and practice at-large. No matter how much time passes between visits I am always shown a warm, compassionate welcome upon my return. I find much gratitude in the connection I have with this community and its members.

In a world that seems to celebrate vanity and materialism, the Detroit Zen Center is a much-needed oasis. I first came to the DZC over 17 years ago and I have never failed to be awed by the compassion and selfless dedication of the resident monks. The process of getting over one's 'self' is not always pretty (and is seldom comfortable), but here I found the care and support that I needed to sustain my spiritual practice. It is the soil in which I grow best. I cannot recommend this place more highly if you have an open mind and are serious about your spiritual practice.

There is a big warm place in my heart for Detroit Zen Center. I'm not a practicing Buddhist, but I always find peaceful and kind acceptance there. For more than 10 years I have dipped in and out of special events (singing and dancing and blues artists) and Eischens yoga workshops. I dined at the cafe and frequented the store for staples. I've gotten a chance to see, in glimpses, Myungju grow into her work with grace and kindness. I don't know her well, but we practiced yoga together some over the years and you get to see a person's growth when you encounter them that way. I've had brief meditations and interactions with the Abbot who feels down to earth when I'm in his presence and not above his community. It always feels good to be there. I am writing this today because a dear friend of mine has taken a position as a resident caretaker there. She feels so fortunate and grateful to be there. The center and the people there couldn't be more welcoming to her, and supportive as she makes transitions in her life. And they have been welcoming to me when I visit her. Detroit Zen Center is a gem for our community. That's all I want to say. Peace everyone...and kindness.

The Detroit Zen Center is the closest thing I have to a spiritual home on this earth. I have attended a couple of retreats and a few services, but mostly what I attend for are the working days. It is a peaceful place to volunteer, vice abbot Myungju is a lovely human being. Oh, and of course... the food! Though Living Zen Organics has disbanded since the pandemic, Myungju is beginning to start doing temple brunches again. The first was today and it warmed my heart to see 40 folks digging into mermaid stew, kale salad, butternut squash soup, roasted root veggies, tea, etc like the good old days. The best way to stay updated on when this place is open and what one can attend is through the website. They have a newsletter you can sign up for as well.

Totally raw and vegan cuisine. Only open for dinner Fridays, 5-9, and all day saturday, 11-9pm. You must ring bell to be let in and then follow the monk downstairs. Both table and traditional floor seating available. CASH ONLY. No tax, tipping jar optional at the door. Three course meal is set and 12 dollars each. We had kale salad, spinach soup and "pasta" made from zucchini. None of us had ever had raw veggie meal before and we ate everything! (including two 10 year old girls!). The monk serving us was very kind/patient and explained each course, as well as paying special attention that the children learned a bit about the preparation methods. There is also a wall of their own foods for sale and we left with tasty kale chips, flax crackers and raw cashew butter! Yum! Their foods are also sold at various health food stores throughout Oakland county.

Founded in 1989, the Detroit Zen Center is a local hidden gem. And when I say hidden, I mean hidden. This unassuming Zen center blends in with the other tiny house in Hamtramck one would never know the wonders this non-profit offers or that it even exists. The Detroit Zen Center first came to my knowledge when I was tirelessly looking for a yoga class in my area. I drove past the Zen Center probably ten times before I realized that the corner building was indeed what I was looking for. A little sluggish, at first, to venture through the doors, I was pleasantly surprised. I was immediately greeted and welcomed to the center, the uncertainty melting instantaneously. The center offers walk-in yoga classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays for a mere 8 bucks, which is great if you're schedule doesn't allow you to commit to a set schedule of, well, anything. They also offer walk-in packages, $70 for 10 classes and $120 for 20 classes. I've probably gone to half of the yoga studios in the Metro Detroit area and I have to say, I always come back to the Zen Center eager and excited to reunite with the compassionate teachers and fellow doers of yoga. In addition, the Zen center offers Zen Enlightenment classes and retreats for those looking for a little spiritual guidance, as well as Dharma talks.

I haven't yet visited the brick and mortar Zen Center. It's on my list of restaurants to visit before summer gets here. However, I have visited their stand at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market quite a few times over the past couple of months and just figured I would review them now, and then update my review after I dine at the restaurant. I must admit that their Kale Chips are my all-time favorite. I once had a great idea that I wanted to get really good at making my own kale chips. Well, that was a thought of mine until I came across their chips. The seasoning on them is so darn good, and the chips are crisped up to perfection, every time. I've also had the black bean burrito. It was really good, and had great flavor. I will say that if you buy it with the side kale salad in the same box, I'd take the burrito out and wrap it separately if you want to eat it at a later date. I lost one of my burritos because the kale salad molded, and it spread to the burrito. It was tragic. I just ate the Bodhi Burger which is made from Michigan beans with some carrots, onions, lettuce, and onion on top. It was delicious. I just ate it col, but I am already envisioning it warmed up the next time I eat one.

There's not much left to say about the food that hasn't already been said here except that it first brought the zen center to my attention; their kale chips were a long time guilty pleasure of mine, which I guess is an inappropriately Catholic way to experience Buddhist snacks. Too sparingly do I indulge my sense of adventure, though I frequently long to do so -- a very un-Buddhist feeling again, as I understand. I kept my mind as open as possible in hopes of broadening my horizons, though I have a nagging fear that this is the mentality of many early invaders and colonists. I had serious doubts that the bottoms of my feet were any cleaner than my socks, but I recognized and uncomfortably complied with the Zen Center's take on the near-universal religious fascination with feet. Was this the hidden price of free meditation classes? I'm certainly not fit enough to relax through yoga, though I was surprised to find out that meditation was still physically too rigorous for me. I was encouraged to use a sort-of converted massage chair to kneel on, which alleviated my gangling posture but presented two new problems: I was elevated a good three feet above my spiritual equals and had to sit directly next to the instructor. Here is the exact point where my adventure veered into misadventure. I tried my best to keep pace with the prostration and motioning but couldn't muster enough dexterity to please the meditation leader. Though I'm positive her intentions were the best, I did not particularly enjoy having every mistake physically corrected; it's a catch 22 calming your social anxiety with an intensely social inner search, I suppose. If you're a Buddhist this is all old news but if you're not, be warned: they will touch you without your permission and make you wash your feet in public. At least the raw vegan desserts and kale are really good.

The Detroit Zen Center called me to clarify what had happened. The Center had to cancel the event and emailed everyone except me because they thought the refund through PayPal would notify me which it did not. The Center was very nice to me.

This is one of the best Zen Buddhist centers in the area. There is beautiful lush garden that leads to the door and they have you take off your shoes and wash your feet before walking inside. I highly recommend wearing comfortable clothing if you are going in for a Sunday night service. Check out their cafe in the basement. It's open thurs- sat and wens. They also offer yoga classes, massages, and Dharma talks.

I've been to the cafe a couple of times now. Everything is vegan and raw (or at least I believe most of the items are raw). To skeptical omnivores: while I am an omnivore in general, I think the food here is quite good, and I think my carnivorous boyfriend enjoyed it as well. I really like how the ingredients are really fresh. I stopped in last week to have the following (as posted on Facebook): "Mexican Spring Wraps today....complimented with a side of our guacamole. Comes with a southwest tomato soup And to bring it all together, your choice of Kale & Quinoa salad or Samadhi salad. Desserts: ice creem is back! Brazil Nut Brownies (even better than before)" The three course meal is $12. First, we were served some pumpkin seeds that were very tasty; they tasted like soy sauce and some spices, and you can buy them by the bag. Then we had the southwest tomato soup, which was a thin, slightly warm tomato soup with bits of tomato, carrot, corn, and lots of spices. It was very spicy and a little sour but good. There were containers of dried kale flakes that you could add as a condiment to your soup, but I didn't really notice a difference in taste as the soup was already very flavorful. After that came the salad - with your choice of kale and quinoa with a cashew cream dressing, or the samadhi salad. I went with the kale salad, which is probably the best way to eat kale ever. The Mexican spring wraps were made with fake refried beans, tomato salsa, sprouts, avocado, and fake sour cream, all wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves... mmm! There was also a tasty dried sesame cracker thing. We weren't given guacamole, but the avocado slices in the wraps were good. I asked for the fake sour cream on the side as I am not a fan of regular sour cream. Texturally, it was hummus-esque but with a slightly sweet flavor that I didn't really like. We didn't have dessert, as I was full. I will confess that I got hungry a few hours later, but then that's pretty much the story of my life. On my previous visit in July 2010, I had: "macadamia basil pate stuffed heirloom tomatoes, falafels with sprouted chickpeas, parsley onion & tahini sauce, tabouleh with zen cen sprouts, and wild mesclun salad or kale quinoa salad." Since it's been a while, I can't really comment at length about my meal, but I do remember that the tomatoes were HUGE and really ripe. Two-thirds of the way into my tomato, I had to give up as I was all tomatoed out. Despite this, I remember liking everything (although I liked the "tacos" even more this time). We had tried both salads, and the mesclun salad was very fresh and had raisins and nuts in it. Other notes: - Currently open only on Saturdays, 11-9. - Cash only. - Entrance is on Casmere (ring the doorbell to get in). - Cell phone-free zone. - Menu changes weekly, so be sure to check the Detroit Zen Center Cafe & Co-op page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Detroit-Zen-Center-Cafe-Co-op/137132102567

Amazing session of beginner's meditation. The Dharma talk that followed was just as amazing. Go--it will change your life. And the food is amazing. I personally love the kale chips and kale salad.

It has been a while since my last visit to the DZC for walk-in hatha yoga classes. Since then, the price appears to have gone up from $8 to $12; still a well-earned fee. The instruction is excellent. They adjust for all levels of ability with nurturing and straightforward guidance. They have recently completed an extensive remodeling to the center. It is a welcoming jewel tucked within a traditional urban environment. My wife and I have tried to sign up in person for their food co-op but, unfortunately, there was a communication break in the chain that left us waiting for a long period without any response to our inquiry. We shall attempt to get the membership (a $1 fee!) another time. I also want to look into the massage services they have been promising to add. (Looks like this review has an update in it's future!)

I love the Detroit Zen Center for its genuine commitment to their faith, way of living and attitude toward their customer-base and community. The atmosphere is always welcoming and calm. The fact that it's in the basement of an old house in Hamtramck only adds to the uniqueness of the whole experience. I've never had raw food before my visit here and it was a good first experience. I never thought something raw would be so full of flavor! Anyone living in or visiting the Metro Detroit area really must go here at least once.

I've had the joy of attending Sunday meditation and of eating at the Zen Cafe. The DZC is a wonderful place and I highly recommend that those who are interested in meditation attend a Sunday beginner's sitting.

Came on a day with other visitors. We were asked by a young person, 'you want to know what it is like? Here is what it is like' and proceeded to tell us to do 89 prostrations, among other rituals. The older adults could not keep up but that did not stop her from going through the quick motions. Ordinarily I would dismiss it as not being mindful, but It was discouraging because the introduction was sated with comments that were elitist and ageist in nature. I came to Zen looking for a temple home. This won't be it! I guess my biggest concern is the condescending tone. 'We're better than the other orders' was the message. It was also the assumption is that because we were visitors we were rank clueless newbies that bothered me also. Won't be back.

The Detroit Zen Center is a wonderful place filled with wonderful people. The eastern philosophy could take some getting used to to for us westerners but if you're looking for a new spiritual path or even help quieting your mind, I recommend giving this place a try.

I'm giving the Zen Center the highest score possible because I really appreciate the care and honesty they put into their food, and their mission as an organization. I'm not sure if The Cafe always been donation based, but I love the donation system as a way to pay for your meal. The card they put on the table at the beginning of the meal explains that they prefer that you only order what you think you will eat, and if you finish your food, you can leave a donation in the jar on your way out. If you order too much and leave a lot of food waste, you could be charged the menu price of the meal. It goes on to explain that we live in a world where many populations are afflicted with extreme hunger, and our culture tends to take that for granted and overeat, and order too much food, and in turn create excess waste food. With this simple cafe rule, the Zen Center encourages us to be better people, better patrons, and more thoughtful of the way we feed ourselves and how we view other cultures that may not have the luxury of wasting food regularly. The food itself is really quite excellent. It can be tricky for raw cuisine to be tasty and filling, but I think they have a creative enough menu to achieve both. If you're not really into a veggie diet, you probably won't be too crazy about the menu. I've also noticed that they seem to use a lot of Indian spice flavors in their entrees, such as allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, etc, mingled within a savory component. If you're not a fan of those flavors (which admittedly, I am not) then you may want to ask the server about the entree ingredients before you order it. The atmosphere is peaceful and friendly. They usually have some relaxing music playing while the residents and workers work together in the kitchen, which is almost in full view of the dining area. Overall, if you're looking for a friendly experience with healthy, raw, and thoughtfully prepared food, this is your place. It's a break away from the normal hustle of restaurants, and a welcoming peek into a community that strives to maintain balance with and a strong appreciation for the earth.

I have not attended the yoga or talks here but have dined here a few times. The atmosphere, servers, and guests are very relaxed. It a bit of an oasis. The food is full flavored vegetarian faire so I am all about it. I worship their kale salad and had some divine beet soup here. All in all extremely relaxing and pleasant.

I went here today. The service was genuine and pleasant. I had the quinoa lentil stew: HUGE PORTION. Started with the kale salad- I am not a huge fan of kale but this was one of the best salads I've had. My bf had cream of tomato soup- he hates vegetables but actually liked this. They also have fresh juices and teas available. The food menu is small. The atmosphere was calming and quite rustic. They also offered a wide variety of organic and local dried teas and foods.

What a place. The woman who gave the meditation teaching was really clear and warm. The meditation hall is enchanting. We had some of their products made on-site. Amazing food. Obviously a lot of hard work goes into this place, and has gone into this place. Definitely coming back, and worth the trip.

Attended a Dharma talk there. I was very disappointed in the knowledge or presentation of the teachings. Mind ful ness was shunned there, saying ones mind should not be full. This is not what the Buddha is referring to. Mindfulness is one of the most important teachings of the Buddha

I am lay student . I have patron over 10 years. Sunim Sandbul is head monk and good friend. When we don't understand life some of look for answers...... This Zen center can help..... Most Beings have disgust .... I awake in animal body of flesh... I must go to work ... I must eat.... Hersey Bar... Ahhh !!!!! McDonalds? I encourage the lost to visit the Zen Temple and find a new friend in life. My ordained name is Badhrika, which means kind hearted one. So laugh enjoy this world.... you are here.. where are you going? Peace.......