What is a sesshin ?

Touch the mind, become intimate with oneself, concentrating in zazen on the unified body and mind. This teaching was transmitted by Master Taisen Deshimaru.

Neither philosophy, nor ethics, nor religion, the Zen allows us to reach the origin of every philosophy, ethics or religion. Spring of awakening, the Zen transforms our life here and now.

Sesshin means touching the mind, it is a period where we essentially concentrate on zazen, also including samu, concentration on daily chore such as cooking or dish washing. Eventually we may practice yoga, do-in etc.


From Thursday 29 May until Sunday 01 June 2025

Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


The practice of zazen is the essence of Zen.

Sitting facing the wall on a round cushion (zafu ), the legs in the lotus or semi lotus position, the knees laid down on the ground, the back well straight, the neck stretched, the left hand on the right hand, the edge of the hands on the abdomen, in a total immobility.

The breathing is quiet and the concentration is more directed to the breathing out.

The conscious mind is still, without entertaining nor rejecting the thoughts, we let them pass through the concentration on the posture and the breathing.

Master Deshimaru practising zazen

This sesshin is managed by Master Barbara Kosen

Barbara Kosen

Barbara Kosen was born in Paris in 1951. At the age of 22 she met Master Deshimaru (the first Great Zen Master to arrive in Europe from Japan). She remained his disciple until his death in 1982. She was ordained a zen nun in 1975, receiving the name Kosen, meaning "Perfume of the Wise". During this time with her master, she assisted him in his mission to develop true Zen. After the death of her master she lived in Switzerland, where for eight years, she led the Dojo of Geneva.

In 1993 Barbara Kosen received the transmission of the Dharma - Shiho (title of spiritual master) - from Master Kosen Thibaut in the temple of the Gendronnière. In this way began the lineage of transmission of european Zen, just as Master Deshimaru had wanted. Barbara Kosen was the first western woman to receive the Shiho. She is one of the few persons currently alive to have received this recognition.

In 1994 she founded the Mokusan Dojo in Madrid and the Zen Association Taisen Deshimaru. In 2001 she founded the Zen Temple Shorinji in Villanueva de la Vera, in the forests of the Sierra de Gredos. There, along with her disciples she spreads the spirit of zen and explores in depth the Way, during retreats and periods of intensive practice.

This sesshin will occur from Thursday 29 May (arrivals the evening before), until Sunday 01 June 2025, in Yujo Nyusanji zen temple.

Yujo Nyusanji zen temple

Yujo Nyusanji Zen Temple  was founded by Master Kosen, heir of Master Mokudo Taisen Deshimaru's Dharma. Master Kosen, his disciples, and members of Zen Deshimaru Buddhist nonprofit organization retire to the temple to practice sesshins, samu, and daily gyoji. . . and also to recharge their batteries, take a deep breath of mountain air, spot wild mouflons, learn archery, and dive in the peaceful atmosphere of forests and rivers.

The Caroux Zen Temple is located right in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc regional natural park, 1 h 40 west of Montpellier, France.

Vous etes arrivés au temple zen  Yujo Nyusanji, descendez vos valises, en avant la sesshin. L'atmosphére pendant zazen, dans le dojo du temple zen Yujo Nyusanji Passerelle en bois sur la rivière du temple zen Yujo Nyusanji
Repas au réfectoire du temple Yujo Nyusanji Le temple zen Yujo Nyusanji s'étend sur plusieurs hectares de nature L'intérieur du dojo du temple zen Yujo Nyusanji
Remise de kesas dans le dojo du temple Le temple zen est entouré par de magnifiques hêtraies Cérémonie de la Gen Maï au temple zen Yujo Nyusanji
Le temple zen Yujo Nyusanji est traversé par une rivière cristalline Sutra du Kesa Entrée du temple Zen Yujo Nyusanji

Address

Route du Hameau de Douch 34610 Rosis - Tel. +33/(0) 749703533

How to come

  •  By car. There are at least four possible routes from the valley of Orb. We suggest you go through Hérépian, d13 towards Saint-Gervais, then d13e12 towards the Horte, then continue to Rosis then to Douch, turn right 1 km before Douch (zen temple sign). Coming from Toulouse, it is faster to pass by the d180 on the Espinouse pass.
  • By train, there are bus services for Lamalou for 1.5 euros which leave from Montpellier and Béziers. You can even bring a bike on them.

    A pickup is organized in Lamalou, opposite the casino, on the arrival day of sessions and sesshins, by default at 20H05. When you register, just remember to indicate, in the public message field, that you wish to be picked up. Notice that if you need to, it is possible for you to log in again and modify this message.  taxi from Lamalou: 06 08 77 12 96 -cost: 25 euros aprox.

    1. Montpellier:  18H30 - 20H00, depart from Mosson, (end stop of tram 1 which departs opposite Montpellier Saint Roch station.)
    2. Béziers: 17H25 - 18H35 depart opposite the station, , not available on Sundays or holidays.
  • On foot, from Montpellier, do not get off at Lamalou, but in Colombières-sur-orb (bus 15H45 -17H35 from Mosson), go up by the gorges of Colombières, to the left of the river -it is beautiful and, you can swim there. Not to be done if it rains. The journey takes about 2h30, once you arrived at the "Col des Avels", continue to Rosis, then to Douch.


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Informations

We offer two prices

  • For people of modest means : 168 €
  • For people able to pay the sesshin at its right price :220 €

( Sesshin alone : 126 € or 165 € )

The american plan is included in the price.

Price for children : until 3 years old : fuse (donation) ; from 3 until 8 years old : 30% of adult price ; more than 8 years old : 50% of adult price.


Registration

We recommend to sign up at least two weeks before sesshin begins (food order...).

Please login or create an acccount to register.

If you create your account now, make sure to click on the confirmation email you're going to receive, in order to validate it, and then come back to the current Spring Camp 2025 page.

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Through the thought without thought Direct your attention towards the inside To examine the divine spark When your thought cannot go farther It goes back to the source Where nature and form Noumene and phenomenon Are not two but one.

Isan

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Questions to zen Master Kosen

Boddidharma, buddhist monk

Master Kosen

Follow his teachings in the Montpellier Zen dojo and in the great sesshins at Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Kusens

Listen to and download last teachings (in french) of Master Kosen in Montpellier's dojo