About Treeleaf

Rev. Pierre Taigu Turlur (also known as "Kuma san", meanting "big stupid bear", though many prefer "Cuddly Bear") was born in France in 1964. A student of French language and literature, he formally made his profession in academia. Taigu started Zazen at age 13! Received Shukke Tokudo in 1983, at age 18, from Rev. Mokusho Zeister of the Deshimaru Lineage (AZI). After Rev. Zeisler's death, and disagreeing with some rigidity and dogmaticism in the AZI, he became a Sangha-less priest until eventually meeting Michael Chodo Cross in the Nishijima Lineage through reading the Nishijima-Cross translation of the Shobogenzo. Received Dharma Transmission from Chodo Cross in 2002. After many twists and turn, including list residence in England, he made it to Japan, where he now lives in Nishinomiya near Osaka. He lives teaching French, although he known as a regular sight in front of local train stations engaging in Takuhatsu with his begging bowl. Enjoys 10,000,000 things, including writing cheap poetry and playing music, being with friends and family...

His poetry blog can be found at:
http://pierretesuten.blogspot.com/

His blog on the sewing and history of "Nyoho-e Kesa" can be found here:
http://nyohoekesa.blogspot.com/