Mokuho Guy Mercier

Born in Paris in 1946, Guy Mercier practiced zazen for the first time with Master Deshimaru in 1973 and accepted to become his disciple in March 1976 by asking him for the monk ordination. That same year, he was registered as a dendoshi (missionary) with the Sotoshu Shumucho.

Since then, he has actively participated in the life of the sangha, organizing the summer camps, taking responsibility for the kitchen (tenzo) in 1977 and 1978 at Val d’Isère, then helping the set up La Gendronnière in 1979-80.

After Master Deshimaru’s death, he remained active in the Paris sangha. From 1986 to 1991, he was again tenzo at La Gendronnière, where he lived from 1991 to 1997. While there he oversaw major roadwork and brought all the buildings up to European security standards.

Today he is the treasurer of the IZA and head of the Tours Dojo, and leads sesshin in France and abroad.