Taisen Deshimaru, a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, is credited with bringing Zen to Europe and introducing its teachings to Western audiences. But how did he first encounter Zen himself?

Deshimaru was born in 1914 in Saga, Japan. He was raised in a traditional Buddhist family and was exposed to Zen teachings from a young age. However, it was not until he was in his twenties that he truly became interested in Zen.

In 1935, Deshimaru enrolled in the University of Tokyo to study law. It was during this time that he first encountered Zen through the writings of D.T. Suzuki, a renowned Zen scholar and philosopher. Suzuki's books sparked Deshimaru's curiosity and he began to study Zen more deeply.

After completing his studies, Deshimaru became a government official and was stationed in Manchuria, China. It was here that he had his first direct encounter with Zen practice. He met a Chinese Zen master, Kodo Sawaki, who would become his primary teacher and mentor.

Under Sawaki's guidance, Deshimaru began to practice Zazen, or seated meditation, and studied the teachings of Zen. He also received ordination as a Zen monk in the Soto school of Buddhism.

In 1945, Deshimaru returned to Japan after the end of World War II. He continued his Zen practice and also worked as a journalist, promoting Zen and its teachings to the public. However, he became disillusioned with the commercialization of Zen in Japan and felt that the true essence of the practice was being lost.

In 1967, Deshimaru was invited to visit France by a group of students who were interested in Zen. This was his first trip to Europe and it would prove to be a turning point in his life. He was struck by the openness and curiosity of Westerners towards Zen and felt that it was his mission to bring this ancient practice to the West.

Deshimaru returned to France in 1969 and began teaching Zazen and giving lectures on Zen. He attracted a large following and established the first Zen temple in Europe, La Gendronnière, in 1973. He also traveled extensively, giving talks and leading retreats, and his teachings spread throughout Europe.

Taisen Deshimaru's encounter with Zen was a gradual process, starting with his exposure to its teachings through books and culminating in his training under a Zen master. His journey ultimately led him to Europe, where he shared the wisdom and practice of Zen with a new audience. Thanks to his efforts, Zen has become a popular and widely practiced form of meditation and spiritual growth in the West.