Seon Joon Sunim was born outside of Denver, Colorado. She graduated from Yale University in 2002 with a B.A. in English Language and Literature and a concentration in Creative Writing. In 2003, she moved to South Korea to pursue monastic ordination. After a year working as an English teacher, exploring the country, and a three-month retreat at Mu Sang Sa International Zen Center, she was accepted as a candidate at Heungcheon Temple in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. She received novice precepts in 2006 and was admitted to Un Mun Monastic College in 2008; she was the first foreign monastic to be admitted into the regular program for that particular college. She graduated in January 2012 and received full precepts in April. Currently the Project Director for Dharma Raft Translation Group and a representative for the International Monastic Students’ Association of Korean Buddhism, she is also a translator and amateur photographer.