In 1974, Seung Sahn began founding more Zen centers in the United States-his school still yet to be established-beginning with Dharma Zen Center in Los Angeles-a place where laypeople and the ordained could practice and live together.
The Kwan Um School of Zen was founded in 1983 and, unlike more traditional practice in Korea, Seungsahn allowed laypersons in the lineage to wear the robes of full monastics.