Taïsen Deshimaru
The journey of this Zen master (on France 2)
Taisen Deshimaru: The Bringer of Zen to the West
Born in 1914 in Saga, Japan, into a family of samurai, Taisen Deshimaru made history by introducing Zen to Europe. Torn in his youth between the religious fervor of his mother and the materialism of his father, he undertakes a quest to reconcile these two opposing worlds. This quest led him to Master Kodo Sawaki, an emblematic figure of the revival of Zen in Japan.
The Disciple’s Apprenticeship
Under the guidance of Kodo Sawaki, Taisen Deshimaru adopted the practice of zazen while leading a social and family life. This approach, desired by his master, allows him to transcend the duality between spiritual and material life. Shortly before his death, Kodo Sawaki ordained him as a monk and entrusted him with an essential mission: to bring Zen to the West.
A Bold Mission
In 1967, Taisen Deshimaru left Japan for France, with a deep faith and the teaching of his master. Without money or knowledge of French, he set up shop in the back room of a health food store in Paris. He practices zazen there every day, offers shiatsu massages, and gives conferences. Little by little, he gained followers impressed by the simplicity and depth of his teaching.
The Development of Zen in Europe
Thanks to his determination and charisma, Taisen Deshimaru quickly established solid foundations for Zen in Europe:
– He opens a dojo in Paris.
– He leads intensive zazen sessions.
– He founded more than 100 dojos across Europe with the help of his disciples.
– He created the temple of La Gendronnière, the largest Western Zen dojo, which has become an emblematic center of practice.
One of Taisen Deshimaru’s great talents lies in his ability to adapt the essence of Zen to the Western spirit, while remaining faithful to tradition. He insisted on the need to practice zazen to deeply understand life and oneself, while responding to the challenges of the modern world.
A Life in the Service of Others
Taisen Deshimaru saw zazen as a way to respond to the imbalance of contemporary civilization. Tireless, he intensified his work in his last years, declaring:
“My life may be short, but at least it will not have been selfish. »