never forget where we come from...

Our lineage

In Zen, transmission is paramount. The teaching has been handed down from master to disciple, from person to person, for 2600 years, in an unbroken line.

Buddha Shakyamuni

Zen can be traced back to the experience of Shakyamuni Buddha, who achieved enlightenment in the dhyana posture (zazen, Zen meditation) in India in the 5th century BC.

This experience has since been passed down uninterruptedly from master to disciple. Zen practice is part of this transmission.

Dōgen Zenji and Keizan Zenji

Eihei Dōgen (1200-1253) is considered the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. His written work, teachings and rules form the basis of practice in all Sōtō school dojos and temples.

Keizan Jōkin (1268-1325) was Dōgen Zenji’s third-generation successor and “second founder” of the Sôtô school, whose dissemination he ensured.

In February 2024, France 2 broadcast two Buddhist Wisdom programs on Master Keizan.

Read more about the school’s founders: click here.

Master Taisen Deshimaru

Arriving in Paris from Japan in 1967, Maître Deshimaru introduced the practice of zazen throughout Europe and devoted 15 years to spreading Zen, training disciples and founding numerous places of practice, including the Gendronnière Zen temple. He died in 1982, leaving his successors the essence of his teaching and the mission of transmitting the Way of Zen in Europe.

To find out more click here.

Master Yuko Okamoto

Okamoto Roshi knew Master Kodo Sawaki and his disciple Taisen Deshimaru well. He was a great supporter of Sōtō Zen in Europe and gave transmission to Jikō Wolf. Master Okamoto passed away in the spring of 2021.