about us
We are friends and followers of Zen Master Philippe Coupey, disciple of Master Taisen Deshimaru in the direct lineage of Master Kodo Sawaki. We follow the Soto Zen tradition as it was introduced to Europe by Master Deshimaru, who came to France from Japan in 1967.
This practice focuses on zazen, the seated posture, and we believe it is the highest thing a person can do with his or her life. Our practice has as few borders and absolutes as a practice can have without losing its guts. Its discipline comes from within, rather than being imposed from without. We also know, or are on the road to knowing, that there is nothing to be gained from it.
Some of us are ordained monks and nuns. We are, by and large, urban monastics: living everyday lives, going to work and looking after the family while practicing assiduously in city dojos and coming together regularly for retreats. This network touches more than forty dojos and groups, most of them affiliated with the International Zen Association (AZI), in France, Germany, Switzerland, England and elsewhere in Europe and North America.
sangha sans demeure
We believe that the true practice and transmission of Zen has nothing to do with outward signs: silent temples and certified diplomas serve a purpose, but are not essential to the Way. This is one reason why we informally call ourselves the Sangha Sans Demeure, sangha being the community of practitioners, sans demeure a French phrase meaning homeless or without abode. Eschewing bricks and mortar, we offer this site as a virtual meeting place for people of all persuasions who are interested in Zen.
We welcome your comments and inquiries.
copyright
This site is made possible through a tremendous amount of creative, collective work: brainstorming, researching, interviewing, transcribing, writing, editing, translating, picture-taking, designing, formatting, and so on. While our intent is to share aspects of Zen Buddhist teaching with a wider public, we appreciate credit where credit is due.
For this reason, all contents of www.zen-road.org are copyright © 2006 Association Zen Sans Demeure. If you wish to reprint any of the articles on this site for any reason (for example, as part of a book, newsletter or website), please contact us first at daor–nez@snoissimrep.org. Thank you.