Meet Pierre
Taigu Turlur — Writer, Teacher, Lecturer, Poet, and Magician
A captivating master
appreciated by all
Affectionately called "the huge idiot" (Taigu) by his masters, Pierre is the author of several Zen works, including"Apprivoiser l'éveil" (Taming enlightment) and "La saveur de la lune" (The flavour of the moon), published by Albin Michel. As a poet, he has released a collection of haiku with L'Harmattan Editions.
In addition to his books, Pierre is an active teacher, sharing his passion for literature and philosophy at the International French School of Kyoto and the Franco-Japanese Institute of Kansai.
Yet Pierre never lost his Western sensibility. He understands the skepticism and spiritual hunger that drives so many Western seekers to Japan. This dual perspective — the rigor of a Japanese monk, the empathy of a fellow Westerner — is what makes his guidance so rare.
What Pierre believes
about teaching Zen
Pierre does not believe in converting anyone to Buddhism. "The temple does not ask you to believe anything," he often says. "It only asks you to sit, to breathe, to be present. The rest reveals itself."
Being also a musician, drama teacher, and gifted close-up magician, he knows how to make the ancient accessible and entertaining, without ever simplifying its depth.
Finally, Pierre is also active in a sangha, a Buddhist community, where he shares his teachings with hundreds of students around the world, leading sucessful Zen retreats throughout the world, mainly the USA and Europe.
Experience Pierre's guidance
Every encounter with Pierre is different because every guest is different. There is no script, no performance — only presence, dialogue, and the quiet transmission of centuries of practice.