Zen in Leeds

In Zazen there is no intention or search, no special effort, no imagination. Just be, without pretension, without dogmatism, without arrogance, embracing all contradictions - Taisen Deshimaru

About us

The Leeds Zen Group meets regularly during the week to practice Zazen. We are affiliated to the Association Zen Internationale (AZI) based in France and founded by Zen Master Taisen Deshimaru as well as with the International Zen Association United Kingdom (IZAUK) with headquarters in Bristol.

Zazen

Perfectly balanced and still, the body weight resting on the knees, the spine stretched towards the sky, leaning neither forward nor backward, we simply erase, at each moment, all unnecessary tensions, all intentions.

It is through this practice that Shakyamuni became Buddha. Not through Buddhism, it did not exist. Not through the sutras, they had not yet been written.

In the peaceful posture of awakening, from silence and stillness, naturally, unconsciously, we give freedom to all things. Consciousness opens to infinity.

Giving freedom to our thoughts means remaining still before them. That is how we are Buddha. Do not doubt this; do not look elsewhere!

Taisen Deshimaru