About Us
A path that began long before the brand.
My name is Carmen. I am a mother, a lifelong student of Chan Buddhism, and one of the founders of ZenSambodhi. My connection with Buddhism began in childhood and has remained part of my life ever since.
A Buddhist path that has stayed with me through life.
I grew up in a Buddhist family and took refuge in Buddhism at the age of eight.
Since then, Buddhist teachings — especially Chan practice — have remained part of my life.
Today, as a mother and a lifelong student of Buddhism, I see practice as a way of returning to awareness, patience, and compassion in everyday life.
From practice to purpose.
ZenSambodhi grew from a shared path of practice.
I founded it together with my Dharma brother, who has spent years in Buddhist practice and followed the teachings of Elder Master Zhengzhi at Yunju Mountain.
We wanted to create something that respects Buddhist tradition while making meaningful devotional objects accessible to practitioners around the world.
Our connection with Ruixiang Chan Monastery.
Our journey has been deeply supported by Ruixiang Chan Monastery in Jiangxi, China.
We are especially grateful to Chan Master Changjin for his guidance, encouragement, and generous support.
Not simply possessions.
A mala, pendant, amulet, or devotional object is not the practice itself.
But it can become a reminder — to pause, to recite, to return to compassion, and to return to the path.
We choose our objects with respect for traditional symbolism, craftsmanship, natural materials, and their place within Buddhist practice.
It can remind us to return to it.
A small bridge across cultures.
Buddhism has travelled across countries, languages, and cultures for centuries.
We hope ZenSambodhi can become a small bridge between Chinese Buddhist tradition and practitioners around the world.
Our goal is simple: to share meaningful objects, stories, and traditions with sincerity and respect.
What we receive should not end with ourselves.
A portion of the proceeds from every ZenSambodhi purchase is dedicated to charitable causes and acts of giving.
As ZenSambodhi grows,
we hope our ability to give can grow with it.
Cultivate Zen.
Attain Sambodhi.
They are a reminder that cultivation is gradual, awareness is practiced every day, and wisdom begins with how we live this moment.
Thank you for walking a small part of this path with us.
— Carmen
Co-Founder, ZenSambodhi