This will be a week-long sesshin at Crosby Hall, Liverpool to be led by Senior Teacher Mokuhō Guy Mercier
This will be a 6-day sesshin, in the Soto Zen tradition, including a Jukai ceremony; the giving and receiving of precepts. This means to take refuge in the three treasures: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The Friends of IZAUK Annual General Meeting will take place during this week.
About the teacher
Guy Mercier received monk ordination from Master Deshimaru in 1976 and has actively participated in the life of the Sangha ever since. He has organised and led many Sesshins and summer camps, and served as Tenzo at La Gendronniere for many years. In 2004, he founded the Tenborin Association, which brings together members of his Sangha from across Europe. In 2008, he received dharma transmission from Sojun Matsuno Roshi. From 2012 until 2023, he managed a Zen Centre in the south of France, and in 2024, he became the current Abbot of La Gendronnière Zen Temple, the head temple of our greater organisation, located in the Loire Valley in France.
Sesshin Details
Arrival: Friday 22nd May, 2026 from 4:30PM – dinner will be around 8pm
Departure: Thursday 28tht May after 3pm (please plan to help with clean up)
Venue: Crosby Hall Educational Trust Centre, Back Lane, Little Crosby, Liverpool L23 4UA
Click to open Crosby Hall on Google Maps
How To Get there by train: It’s a short walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station to Liverpool Central Station. Take the Southport train (every 15 minutes) to Blundellsands & Crosby Station and then a two-mile taxi ride or half hour easy walk across fields to the CHET Centre. (DELTA Taxis, Crosby: 0151 924 7373)
What to Bring
Bring loose, dark clothes for zazen plus a zafu and zafuton if you have them. For eating, you will need either an oryoki set or three different-sized bowls with a cloth to wrap them (please ask for further information if needed).
Cost
Recommended: £275 for Friends of IZAUK (others £290)
Low waged: £245 for Friends of IZAUK (others £260)
Unwaged: £215 for Friends of IZAUK (others £225)
Please contact Dan, the Sesshin organiser, if you are unable to come for the full week.
A £20 discount will be given to all those who book by 8th May.
We kindly request that payment be completed by 15th May.
Don’t let finances stop you attending – Friends of IZAUK who require financial assistance can ask for help from the Bursary Fund. Contact John Callaghan at john@izauk.net.
Registration
Please complete the following registration form and pay by card. You should receive a confirmation within a few minutes of your registratoin – if you do not – please check your bank card to see if payment has been taken, and contact sesshin-organiser@izauk.net for any issues, or if you require any further information about the sesshin.