Shim Gum Do - Mind Sword Path

The Way of Clear Mind, Clear Thinking and Clear Action

Shim Gum Do - Mind Sword Path


THE WAY OF CLEAR MIND, CLEAR THINKING AND CLEAR ACTION

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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.

News & Announcements

Clear Your Mind! Free Meditation and Dharma Talk Friday May 1st 5:45 – 7 :30 PM

Take a break and Clear your Mind!
Meditation and Dharma Talk Friday May 1st – 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? Take a break from technology and screen time; learn how to quiet your mind and find peace.

Come join us on Friday May 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!

Thank you Sa Bu Nim!


Shim Gum Do is the way of Clear Mind, Clear Thinking, and Clear Action

Today we remember and honor Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim who passed away five 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 eternally grateful to you for bringing Shim Gum Do to humanity.

Clear Your Mind! Free Meditation and Dharma Talk Friday March 6th 5:45 – 7 :30 PM

Take a break and Clear your Mind!
Meditation and Dharma Talk Friday March 6th – 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? Take a break from technology and screen time; learn how to quiet your mind and find peace.

Come join us on Friday March 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!

Happy Korean New Year of the Red Horse!

 

Happy Korean New Year of the Red Horse!

Today, February 17, 2026 is the Korean New Year. It is the year of the Red Horse. This new year symbolizes a transformative, high-energy and powerful year.

A new year is a new beginning. Let’s use this new energy 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!

Refresh Your Mind! Free Meditation and Dharma Talk Friday February 6th 5:45 – 7 :30 PM

Take a break and Refresh your mind!
Meditation and Dharma Talk Friday February 6th – 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? Take a break from technology and screen time; learn how to quiet your mind and find peace.

Come join us on Friday February 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!

(Photo credit Liza Rein January 19, 2026)

Happy 82nd Birthday Sa Bu Nim!

Happy 82nd 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, 2026, on your 82nd Birthday.

Shim Gum Do is eternal; it lives in all of us, and we continue to pass on Shim Gum Do and your teaching to others; now and into the future. We are eternally grateful to you, Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Won Gwang Chang Sik Kim.

HAPPY 82ND BIRTHDAY SA BU NIM!

Start 2026 Fresh and Clear! Dharma Talk Friday January 2nd 5:45 – 7 :30 PM

Start the New Year Fresh and Clear!
Dharma Talk Friday January 2nd – 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 January 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 December 5th 5:45 – 7:30 PM

Dharma Talk Friday December 5th – 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 December 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 November 7th 5:45 – 7:30 PM

Dharma Talk Friday November 7th – 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 November 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!

Dharma Talk Friday October 3rd 5:45 – 7:30 PM

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 September 5 – 5:45 – 7:30 PM

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 August 1st – 5:45 – 7:30 PM

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!

Today is Sa Bu Nim’s 51st Anniversary of Arriving in the USA

Happy 51st Anniversary to Sa Bu Nim!
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

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

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!

Help Support Shim Gum Do

NEW RELEASES

  • New Book Available Now!
    Day and Night:
    Selected Poems from 1990 - 2016

    Other New Books:
    The Nature of Life and Death:
    A Volume of Zen Poetry

    The Sound of Life:
    A Volume of Zen Poetry
  • Sa Bu Nim's award winning poetry book:
    Great Nature: Poems for All of Nature
    2014 Recipient of International PEN Korean Center's Special Literature Award
    • 'The First Star Black Belt Forms of Shim Gum Do Zen Sword
    The Manual of Course Material from White to First Star Black Belt'
    Please enter Books section for more information.

    Calendar

    May 2026

    Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
    1
    • Meditation and Dharma Talk 5:45 - 7:30 PM
    2
    • Shim Gum Do Class 10 AM
    3
    4
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    5
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    6
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    7
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    8
    9
    • Shim Gum Do Class 10 AM
    10
    11
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    12
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    13
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    14
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    15
    16
    • Shim Gum Do Class 10 AM
    17
    18
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    19
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    20
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    21
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
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    23
    • Shim Gum Do Class 10 AM
    24
    25
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    26
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    27
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
    28
    • Shim Gum Do Classes 6 - 7 PM & 7 - 8 PM
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    • Shim Gum Do Class 10 AM
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    Contact Us

    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

    Map

    Follow Us Online

    © 2016 - 2025 by World Shim Gum Do Association and American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association All Rights Reserved. The content of this website may not be reproduced without written consent from World Shim Gum Do Association, Inc. or American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association, Inc. SHIM GUM DO ® is a registered trademark of the World Shim Gum Do Association, Inc.