Guy Mokuho Mercier

Guy Mokuho Mercier began practising zazen with Master Taisen Deshimaru in 1973, becoming his disciple in March of 1976 after receiving ordination as a monk.

Since then, he has actively participated in the life of the sangha. He took responsibility for the kitchen as Tenzo (head cook) at Val d’Isère in 1977 and 1978, after which he helped in the purchase and setup of the new Temple, La Gendronnière in 1979-80.

After Master Deshimaru’s death in 1982, he remained active in the Paris sangha. From 1986 to 1991, he was again the tenzo at La Gendronnière, and became the head of the temple from 1991 to 1997. While there, he oversaw major repair works to the infrastructure and facilities and worked to bring all the buildings up to European health and safety standards.

In 2004 he started the Tenborin Zen Association, an organisation bringing together the members of his sangha from across Europe.

In 2004 he also created the Josen Zen Centre in Tours which he ran up until his departure for the Lanau Zen Centre

Mokuho received Dharama Transmission from Sojun Matsuno Roshi in Takefu, Japan.

In Novemer 2012, he purchased, with members of the sangha, a vacation centre in the Cantal region, 25k south of Saint Flour which is now called the Lanau Zen Centre.

Year round, the Lanau Centre organises sesshins and other teaching sessions as well as 7-10 day summer sessions.

He leads sesshins in France, Spain, Switzerland and England.

Sangha Tenborin