Sewing the Kesa

[Jundo]

Just a clarification ...

In the Nyoho-e tradition of sewing a full Kesa, which is followed by our Sangha and others corners of the Soto Zen world (typically related to Homeless Kodo Sawaki, Katagiri Roshi, some in the Suzuki Lineage), in Japan and in the West, lay people can sew and wear a Nyoho-e style full Kesa. This is not true throughout all Soto Zen or in many other corners of Buddhism (some places yes and some no). However, Master Dogen wrote in Shobogenzo Kesa-Kudoku ...

In India and in China, ... even laypeople received and retained the kaṣāya [Kesa]. ... It is an ultimate secret of the Great Vehicle that laypeople, whether human beings or gods, receive and retain the kaṣāya. ... All lay bodhisattvas have received and retained [the kaṣāya]. In China, Emperor Bu of the Liang dynasty and Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty both received and retained the kaṣāya. Emperors Taisō and Shukusō both wore the kaṣāya, learned in practice from monks, and received and retained the bodhisattva precepts. Other people such as householders and their wives who received the kaṣāya and received the Buddhist precepts are excellent examples in the past and present. Therefore, whether we are emperors or subjects, we should receive and retain the kaṣāya and we should receive the bodhisattva precepts without delay. There can be no greater happiness for a human body.

So, the Kesa is not a "homeleaving" Ordination as a priest, and is to be worn by lay people.

Of course, anyone sewing a robe should sometime read the wonderful paper by scholar Diane E. R iggs, "Fukudenkai: Sewing the Buddha’s Robe in Contemporary Japanese Buddhist Practice."

https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/2849

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[Jundo]

Ps - Wiki Roshi (always reliable ) adds this ...

In the Chinese tradition, both upāsakas and upāsikās [lay men and women who undertake the 5 Precepts] are permitted to wear robes for temple ceremonies and retreats, as well as home practice. Upāsakas and upāsikās wear long sleeved black robes called haiqing (海青), symbolic of their refuge in the Triple Jewel. A brown kasaya called a manyi (缦衣) worn outside the black robes is symbolic of their upholding of the precepts. Unlike monastics, they are not permitted to regularly wear robes outside functions other than temple activities or Buddhist disciplines.

A scholar's paper confirms this ...

CHARLES B. JONES
Stages in the Religious Life of lay Buddhists in Taiwan

The robe in question is the ... manyi or the outer monastic robe, although it is not exactly the same as that worn by
clergy. The monastic version consists of strips sewn together, while the
lay version is solid. The newly-created Five-Precept Upasakasl-ikas
will, from this time forward, have the right to wear the manyi during all
future Dharma-meetings, and will have places between ordinary
devotees and those who have received the bodhisattva precepts.
file:///C:/Users/J.Cohen/Documents/delete8867-Article%20Text-8675-1-10-20110301.pdf

Master Dogen added on style ...

It has been said that “the kaṣāyas received and retained by laypeople are either called ‘single-stitched' or called ‘secular robes.' That is, they are not sewn with backstitches.” ... Such were the traditions of a master of the past. However, [the tradition] that has now been received one-to-one from the Buddhist patriarchs is that the kaṣāyas transmitted to kings, ministers, householders, and common folk, are all backstitched.

You may notice too that most Chinese robes use a hook to close like this, different from Soto robes ...

[Meitou]

I think it's good to not advertise too much

Gassho,

Nanrin
St

Really? Why do you say that Nanrin?

Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

[Nanrin]

Really? Why do you say that Nanrin?

Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

Meitou,

I don't think there's a need to advertise it. People who are so inclined will find it soon enough and ask permission, the rest who aren't called won't. An occasional mention is enough for people to become aware of the option. It's not a requirement for people to do after jukai. People generally don't need more to do, but less to do. That's part of the wonder of zazen - there's nothing to do, nowhere to go, nothing to be. Just sitting quietly is enough. We all are wrapped thus-ness and always sit in the Buddha's robe, regardless of our clothing.

That said, sewing is marvelous practice and I'd recommend it generally. We here are very fortunate to have the option of sewing kesa. The kasaya is a wonderful teaching. I'm very, very glad to be given the chance to sew and wear it.

Hopefully I am not totally off here. [emoji2]

Gassho

Nanrin

St

P.S. Wonderful information Jundo. Interesting that Chinese lay robes don't have the rice paddy design.

[Shinshi]

I actually avoided Jukai for a while because I was just sure I wouldn't be able to sew the Rakusu. Not only was I capable, I came to really enjoy it - even though it was difficult for me at times.

Sewing my Kesa was a fascinating experience for me. The rhythm of the sewing mirrors your breath and I find it very much like sitting, but with a specific object in mind. I also found it mirrors life. Sometimes a straight line is a compromise. Things don't go according to plan so you need to find a new one. Sewing a seam and removing a seam are two sides of the same coin. Both can be centering. You fix what you can, but sometimes little imperfections remind you of the journey. My wife broke her arm as I was just starting and one of my panels sat on the dining room table for a while. The sun bleached it out a bit but that slight color variation reminds me of that experience.

You come across challenges and you have to find your past them. Sometimes others can show you the way and sometimes you just have to figure them out for yourself.

Like so many things, once you are done you have a much better idea of how to do it correctly.

At some point as you are sewing you transition from having a bunch of disparate pieces of cloth to something that is a partial Kesa. It goes from being a bunch of parts to something that is more whole, even if unfinished. Your experience of it changes as it comes together. It didn't happen all at once for me, I just realized one day that my view of my work was different. Out of many single elements one thing is created - even if continues to change and evolve.

I wonder sometimes if that is sort of what Jundo is doing with Treeleaf. All these disparate parts, these individual strangers, come together - and are eventually part of a greater whole: The Treeleaf Sangha.

I kind of think of us as Jundo's Kesa.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Tokan]

Hi Junkyo and all

Like many, I imagine, the sewing of the rakusu planted a seed. I found the rakusu both challenging and rewarding and it is, you could say, the first object of 'devotion' I have ever created. Some years ago I led a small buddhist group, zen-styled, where the members effectively wanted a 'priest' figure. I live in a pretty remote place where it was hard enough to find other buddhist sympathisers let alone someone who had been ordained. As I was a zendo-less wanderer I thought, 'what the hell' and bought a haqing and a kesa from China. Long story short here - it felt 'cheap' to wear, no discipline or effort had been required to obtain it, just a credit card. Sewing the kesa connects me to treeleaf, and all the way back through our lineage. I sew the kesa because it is not mine to sew.

How is this affecting my practice? I try to sew the panels together like I am sewing the water to the reflection of the moon in it.

Sat today, gassho, Tokan

[Shokai]

[Myogan]

Sewing the Kesa emphasized my practice in a manner similar to Kinhin, sort of a moving meditation.

Gassho
Sat

[Jundo]

Sewing the Kesa emphasized my practice in a manner similar to Kinhin, sort of a moving meditation.

Gassho
Sat

Good to see you, Doc.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Kakunen]

Very hard to sew Kesa.

Add pic.

Hope to have good practice.

17155895_655564787969053_5274067397838376081_n.jpg

Gassho
Sat today
Kakunen

[Kakunen]

Very hard to sew Kesa.

Add pic.

Hope to have good practice.

17155895_655564787969053_5274067397838376081_n.jpg

Gassho
Sat today
Kakunen

[Ippo]

Thanks for this thread! There was some confusion for me around robes/kesa's/rakusus. This really helps clear things up. It is great o hear all of your stories about how sewing the rakusu helped your practice and what it meant for you. Also, thank you Jundo for providing the information from the Chinese tradition. I continually feel the call to sew the rakusu, and with permission would like to sew one in the fall. I actuall really don't enjoy tasks like that so I think it will be a valuable experience to go through the motions, stitch by stitch, and sit with whatever comes up. Thanks again for all.


Gassho,


Brad


SatToday/LAH

[Kyoshin]

Thanks for this thread! There was some confusion for me around robes/kesa's/rakusus. This really helps clear things up. It is great o hear all of your stories about how sewing the rakusu helped your practice and what it meant for you. Also, thank you Jundo for providing the information from the Chinese tradition. I continually feel the call to sew the rakusu, and with permission would like to sew one in the fall. I actuall really don't enjoy tasks like that so I think it will be a valuable experience to go through the motions, stitch by stitch, and sit with whatever comes up. Thanks again for all.


Gassho,


Brad


SatToday/LAH

I don't enjoy those tasks either. Personally, I hated every second I spent sewing the rakusu. That's why it was so important and one of the most valuable experiences of my life. One day I'll work up the gumption to have a go at the kesa, but not for a while.

Gassho
Kyōshin
Satlah

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Mp]

I continually feel the call to sew the rakusu, and with permission would like to sew one in the fall.

Hey Brad,

You are more then welcome to come sew and take the precepts in the fall, would be good to have you.

Stay tuned for the announcement in Aug/Sept. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[sjlabat]

Really interesting posts...esp regarding rakusu vs kesa. I had wondered about the sewing and usage of the two, if there was a 'substantial' difference (since they are pretty much the same thing) or a customary difference. -I may not be expressing myself artfully, I hope you get my meaning.
gassho
sean
sat.lah