Existing in Japan since the 13th century, this practice linking body and mind fashioned and permeated Japanese culture.

At South Japan Expo, 2nd Wave, Zen disciples are in Marseille to show everyday sitting meditation, Zazen, on the cultural stage on Friday 19th at 2.00 p.m. and Saturday 20th at 12.00 a.m.!

On the trendy, fun and Kawai booth of Butsu Zen Zone, practice is illustrated by the new zen aesthetics of the Western lands thanks to illustrators publishing in Japan. Moreover living Buddhas are going to answer everyone’s existential questions, even the most Banzai ones.

What is Zen?

Zen is mostly the practice of Zazen:
- Za: sitting
- Zen: meditation

Zazen is nothing but sitting peacefully and becoming intimate with oneself.

It is based on no dogma or ideology. It is a way of focusing, being attentive, knowing oneself and letting go.

This practice has been transmitted from master to disciple, from people to people, for 2500 years. The peaceful position of Buddha is the perfect representation of Zen.

The essence of Zen is in focusing on the position and on the breathing.

Zen in the Western countries

Maître Taisen Deshimaru taught and transmitted the practice of true Zen, Zazen, in Europe from 1967 when he arrived in France to his death in 1982.



He was the heir of the purest tradition transmitted from the Buddha Shakyamuni in India, Bodhidharma in China and Dogen in Japan. He had the desire to help modern civilization humankind, whose lack of balance he could sense, and to help them understand themselves and their lives deeply thanks to Zazen.

In the crisis of civilization we experience, the Japanese art of living together, permeated by Zen, may feed the 21st century world culture with happiness, and its roots, Zazen, help us live the major changes at work.

The AZI

The Association Zen Internationale was founded in 1970 by Master Taisen Deshimaru to help him transmit the Way of Buddha and the practice of Zen in Western countries.



The association is set in the Zen temple of La Gendronnière, near Blois in France, where Sangha get together and practice all year long.

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