Zen masters are central figures in the Soto Zen tradition. They serve as spiritual guides. Masters transmit the teachings of Zen Buddhism through words, actions, and example. Their role goes beyond that of mere instructors; they are dedicated mentors who help practitioners cultivate understanding and realization of the Zen path in their own lives.
Bodhidharma, often considered the 28th Indian master of Zen and the 1st Chinese master, is a central figure in Zen Buddhism. He is credited with introducing Zen Buddhism (Chan) in China in the 6th century AD. Historically, he was a Buddhist monk of Indian origin, and although the exact details of his life are somewhat…
Taisen Deshimaru was a Japanese Zen master, fundamental in bringing zazen the heart of Zen Buddhism to Europe. Born in 1914, he trained extensively in Japan before World War II. After the war, he resumed his training and was ordained as a Zen monk. The Arrival of Zen in Europe In the 1960s, Zen monk…
Zen Master Dogen (1200-1253) is one of the most influential figures in Japanese Buddhism, particularly within the Sōtō school of Zen. He is best known for introducing and establishing the practice of zazen (seated meditation) and writing the profound work Shōbōgenzō, a collection of his teachings. Dogen’s life and teachings have shaped the foundation of…
In the history of Zen, there have been especially brilliant masters. One of them is Keizan Jokin, a revered master for his crucial role in the expansion of the Soto Zen school in Japan. His legacy is both spiritual and literary, leaving an indelible mark on the practice of Japanese Zen. In 2025, the 700th…
Kodo Sawaki (1880-1965) was an influential Japanese Zen master, known for revitalizing the practice of Sōtō Zen in Japan in the 20th century. He was born in Tsu, Japan, and orphaned at an early age. Despite a difficult childhood following the death of his mother, Sawaki became interested in Zen Buddhism with the vocation of…
Born in Saga in 1914, Taisen Deshimaru was a disciple of Master Kodo Sawaki, one of the most influential Zen masters in 20th-century Japan, known for emphasizing the importance of zazen practice and for opening the practice to laypeople. Unlike most Zen masters, Taisen Deshimaru continued to lead a secular life while following his master’s…
Roland Yuno Rech, born in 1944, graduated from the Paris Institute of Political Studies and holds a DESS in Clinical Psychology from the University of Paris VII. After an initiatory journey to the Far East, he discovered Zen practice at a temple near Kyoto and decided to return to France to follow the teachings of…
