Deshimaru was known for his charisma, his sometimes outrageous behavior and above all, for his uncompromising Zen practice. He taught that the only essential practice was sitting meditation. In his dojo, all were equal - advanced beings such as the Karmapa did sitting practice, as did beginners off the street.

Japanese master Taisen Deshimaru (1914-1982) first brought Zen to Europe. During the Second World War he was prisoner in a Chinese prison camp and later in an American prisoner of war camp in Singapore. He met his own teacher, Master Kodo Sawaki, before the war, and rejoined him after his release from the war camp. He stayed with Sawaki until the latter's death in 1965. In 1967, Deshimaru moved to Paris where he worked diligently and made the Zen teaching available to interested seekers throughout Europe. At the time of his death, Deshimaru had several thousands students, and settlements of followers in France, and other parts of the world.  He is the author of numerous books.