Taisen Deshimaru was a prominent Japanese Zen master known for popularizing Zen Buddhism in the West. Born in 1914, he became a monk at a young age and later moved to France in 1967, where he established the Zen Dojo and taught many students about Zen practices, including meditation and mindfulness. Deshimaru emphasized the importance of zazen, or seated meditation, as a means to achieve enlightenment and inner peace. His teachings focused on simplicity and direct experience, making Zen accessible to people from various backgrounds. He authored several books, sharing his insights and practices with a wider audience.