Kesa O kesa

[Monsho]

Re: Kesa O kesa

I would be very happy to work on a kesa. I got so much more than I expected out of sewing the rakusu for jukai, and it would be great to keep on sewing. So, yes, Rev. Taigu, you can count me in!
Gassho,
Monsho.

[Jundo]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Hi All,

I am going to ask that folks who wear a Kesa have undertaken Jukai already, here or somewhere. Not that the door is ever closed, but it is an important time of "self-reflection" (in a Buddhist way) before one takes to wearing one. No "exclusivity" to it, or seniority, as much as that doing so is a commitment to oneself and service that takes a bit of study and preparation. In fact, it is more a symbol of placing oneself below, or at the service of others, than anything.

'Tis precisely the same with a Rakusu ... in fact, a Rakusu is a Kesa. .

Gassho, Jundo

[Shindo]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Well guys I will give it my best shot, although as Taigu says

Seven strips seems to me a task challenging enough for our patience and skill.

this fills me with some trepidation as sewing my rakusu really did test all of the above

Kindest regards

Jools (Shindo)

[miheco]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Dear Taigu, I have decided to join with my fellow Treeleafers for another adventure of "Sew along with Taigu". So count me in please. My right hand, which developed a mind of its own after a surgery 10 years ago, is well rehearsed after our rakusu project. I had to un-stitch and re-sew several times, to prevent the rakasu from becoming trapezoidal in shape. ;-). Thank you.

Gassho,
Jintai

[Jen]

Re: Kesa O kesa

I would love to sew a Kesa. I really enjoyed the sewing-practice of making the rakusu. Plus, it is an excuse to spend more quality time with Taigu and my fellow sangha members

Gassho,
Jenny (Joshin)

[Taigu]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Thank you to all of you. A special thank you-bravo to Jintai.
Yes, sewing the kesa should only be for people who received the precepts.
I will get things ready for the summer, which means a lot of preparation before shooting the videos because I need to be able to show you all the stages ...
Anyway, thank you to be on this boat.

gassho

Taigu

[Yugen]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Taigu et al,
I'll be honored to join you... timing for the summer would be just right.

Gassho,
Alex (Yugen)

[Tb]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Hi All,

I am going to ask that folks who wear a Kesa have undertaken Jukai already, here or somewhere. Not that the door is ever closed, but it is an important time of "self-reflection" (in a Buddhist way) before one takes to wearing one. No "exclusivity" to it, or seniority, as much as that doing so is a commitment to oneself and service that takes a bit of study and preparation. In fact, it is more a symbol of placing oneself below, or at the service of others, than anything.

'Tis precisely the same with a Rakusu ... in fact, a Rakusu is a Kesa. .

Gassho, Jundo

Hi.

And with that you mean we can't take it again or not participate in the ceremony or what?

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Jundo]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Hi All,

I am going to ask that folks who wear a Kesa have undertaken Jukai already, here or somewhere. Not that the door is ever closed, but it is an important time of "self-reflection" (in a Buddhist way) before one takes to wearing one. No "exclusivity" to it, or seniority, as much as that doing so is a commitment to oneself and service that takes a bit of study and preparation. In fact, it is more a symbol of placing oneself below, or at the service of others, than anything.

'Tis precisely the same with a Rakusu ... in fact, a Rakusu is a Kesa. .

Gassho, Jundo

Hi.

And with that you mean we can't take it again or not participate in the ceremony or what?

Mtfbwy
Fugen

Hi Fugen.

Folks can take Jukai any number of times. No limit. I have undertaken Jukai 4 or 5 times. Or once is enough.

Probably I would wave the sewing "requirement" for folks "re-taking" ... but folks can sew again too if they wish.

But truly, each instant you seek in your heart not to do harm ... the Jukai is taken. Gassho, J

[Dojin]

Re: Kesa O kesa

i think i will try to saw the kesa hopefully it will come out as perfectly imperfect as my rakusu

as for taking jukai again i dont know if i will have the time to sit another retreat with the work and all but i wouldnt mind studying and taking it again.

Gassho, Dojin.

[Jinho]

Re: Kesa O kesa

I had to un-stitch and re-sew several times, to prevent the rakasu from becoming trapezoidal in shape. ;-). Thank you.

Gassho,
Jintai

Hi,

Ironing is great for squaring things up. I somehow had this big wave in one seam of my rakusu and was about to re-sew when I remembered my own advice! So I just pulled it as I steam-ironed it and that puppy straightened right out. Another way to steam things square is to pin them to the right shape onto something firm and then iron (but it must be something that won't melt under the steam). On second thought, maybe this isn't such a good idea (it is what they do for squaring needlepoint pieces).

gassho,
rowan
who is NOT senile......really.......

[Eika]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Dear Taigu,

I am about to have enough time available to start sewing a kesa. I looked at the pattern pdf we had for the rakusu we made, but it did not contain the info about patterns for the kesa. Is this posted somewhere that I am missing?

Many thanks for your help with our rakusu sewing,

Bill


PS--Dirk, if you read this, same question: where did you get the pattern?

[Dosho]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Hey Bill,

Shohei (aka Dirk) and I have both been working on kesas from directions Taigu provided on his blog:

http://nyohoekesa.blogspot.com

Just go through the archives and it will take you through the process step by step.

I also ordered a copy of the original Katgiri instructions from the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center which is very cool.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Taigu]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Hi everybody,



They are two schools for sewing the nyoho-e kesa. One of them is Sawaki's school which I am very familiar with, the other one, just as good, is the one you'll find through Katagiri's lineage. Both have a slight different approach to measurements and various details. Both are valid but you cannot mix them. One way is to order the book from Minnesota Zen Center, yeah a cool book, the other way is to put up with my messy blog and very dodgy instructions. Now, I will be back to France in the summer and will bring back all the necessary kesa literature I left behind. Meanwhile, you can always ask Dirk (Shohei) or me, and we could help you. Don't rush it, if I may say. And don't hesitate to get in touch with me, anytime. I will do my best to help. I would like to make a kesa sewing video soon. You will be amazed how easy is the making of a kesa compared to a rakusu. Of course it takes ages. Just like you and me. Ages... and it all goes so fast! :wink:

Take care


taigu

[Shohei]

Re: Kesa O kesa

Hi Bill! Sorry for not getting back to you right off, i have had my head in my @ss for abit now.
Exactly what Dosho and Taigu said! I followed Taigu's wonderful blog for the instructions plus pestered Taigu when i got scared. It took a day or two to work out and make sure i had worked out the measurements correctly and then just a quick 6 months Actually if i were diligent as i should have been i might have taken 3 months or less but life is funny that way

Any who I have also ordered the Katagiri instructions for my own informational purposes and as Taigu said equally fine instructions. I made the mistake when sewing my rakusu of inadvertently mixing the two methods... i used Katagiri pattern and Taigu's measurements (just as he warned to be careful of doing ops: ) and it worked out but...

In closing, I would sit tight and follow the method that Taigu teaches as he is a great teacher and his help is invaluable! I will gladly offer any help or if nothing else a good example of what NOT to do if you so desire (that goes for the lot of ya's too btw).

I shared a photo(many thanks to my ever-so-patient wife ) with a Taigu and Dosho both an was hesitant to post it but wth... Here is a pic of me wearing the Kesa, its not at all perfect and i whole take responsibility for it - the instructions were sound... i'm not always so!




fyi -im now sitting on that poor old quilt rather than my zabuton that i made due to its lumpiness and giving me poor sitting form.
also notice the kesa is touching the floor there... ermmm not so good, my bad ops:

Gassho, Shohei