Philippe Coupey

Philippe Rei Ryu Coupey is a Soto Zen teacher in the lineage of Kodo Sawaki. Born and raised in New York City, after studying literature he took an unusual series of jobs — including uranium prospector, housepainter, social worker and translator.
In 1968 he settled in Paris. Four years later he met the Zen master Taisen Deshimaru with whom he practised zazen. He quickly became one of Deshimaru’s closest disciples, working on teachings which are given directly in English. Three books came out of this collaboration.
Ordained as a monk, he followed his master until the latter’s death in 1982. Since then he has continued to work and teach within the International Zen Association, which Master Deshimaru founded.