Zazen/Zazenkai clothing

[Chikyou]

I have a question for Jundo and the Sangha - is there any objection to purchasing and wearing a samue for sitting (especially Zazenkai/Sesshin). I currently wear inexpensive synthetic jogging pants/shirt from a big box store (largely because it was inexpensive enough to justify the purchase during Ango ) but I prefer non synthetic fabrics.

If anyone here wears samue, where did you get yours? (I'm in the US for reference).

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Jundo]

Hi Kelly,

One certainly does not require a lay robe or samue in order to Practice or sit Zazen and, yes one can Practice just as well in a comfortable set of sweat pants. Something suited to the weather, and loose that does not constrict the legs is best (thus, jeans and such should be avoided.) However, Samue are VERY comfortable and practical (they tend to run small, though, so don't get one too tight there either.) I wear Samue lots.

In fact, Samue are not usually for Zazen by priests in Japan. Samue, which means "work clothes," are worn for labor times, not for ceremony or Zazen usually. However, even in Japan, many lay folks wear them for Zazen when joining a temple Zazenkai, although regular track suits or "hakama" are probably most common (a skirted outfit for men or women) ...



More elaborate lay robes are not needed for Zen, although some folks find that such accoutrements help place them in a certain sacred mood. A few Zen groups insist on them or encourage them, but I don't feel they are really necessary.

Nishijima Roshi, who was often seen in both the formal robes of a Soto Zen Priest or in a business suit (with Kesa), would sometimes say that our wearing traditional robes is just dressing up like "old Chinese people in the Tang Dynasty". The Kesa is the robe which we respect for its symbolism of encompassing the teachings and reality. The rest is, well, a costume. I wear the costume sometimes in respect for tradition, but at other times, any comfortable and clean clothing is fine for Zazen.



I am not sure where to acquire good Samue outside Japan, but maybe folks have a tip.

Gassho, J

stlah



tsuku.jpg

[Zenkon]

Kelly

Here is one source of a samue in the USA.

https://www.amazon.com/KYOETSU-Japanese-Samue-Season-XX-Large/dp/B06ZY6WNKW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=22999ZAS1PUXL&keywords=samue&qid=1673161743&sprefix=samue%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyOFhKQVU0WVFHQjNVJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTU2NjQwMTdZVkNHVzRaU1M0MiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzUzMTAyMjYxNk4zT1g5RkdTMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Gassho

Zenkon

[Anchi]

Hi Kelly,

This is very comfy and cheap

Men Traditional Japanese Pajamas Set Cotton Robe Pants Kimono Haori Yukata Nightgown Japan Style Soft Gown Sleepwear Obi Outfits

https://a.aliexpress.com/_vVHpcq

Size up if you like baggy =)

Full Lay Robe from US :

https://www.stillsitting.com/shop/meditation-clothing/lay-robes/full-lay-robe/

Maybe This Will Help

Gasshô

安知

[Meian]

Gassho2 stlh

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Tosei]

Some years ago, I bought a pair through simply sitting in Washington, I think. Try simplysitting.com.

Gassho


SatLah

[Ankai]

If I can suggest... Go to Walmart and get some hospital scrub pants. They are extremely inexpensive, sublimely comfortable and dark colors are usually pretty easy to find.
Sat today.

[Shujin]

If I can suggest... Go to Walmart and get some hospital scrub pants. They are extremely inexpensive, sublimely comfortable and dark colors are usually pretty easy to find.
Sat today.

I second this recommendation. Good to see you around, Ankai!

Gassho,
Shujin

-sat today-

[Onkai]

A black scrubs set has worked well for me for everyday sitting.

Gassho,
Onkai

[Will001]

I suspect that zazen specific clothing might be a distraction to your zazen. I say that as a person who really appreciates look of a Japanese zendo. I looked for a long time for "appropriate " clothes before realizing that it was just what I was wearing on any given day.

Gassho,
Sat
W

[Bion]

I suspect that zazen specific clothing might be a distraction to your zazen. I say that as a person who really appreciates look of a Japanese zendo. I looked for a long time for "appropriate " clothes before realizing that it was just what I was wearing on any given day.

Gassho,
Sat
W

Well, also.. be smart about it: loose fitting is better than tight jeans.. if one plans to sit for 30 minutes cross-legged .. ( bench in a park is a different story [emoji1] ) For zazenkai with sangha, we just go with muted, discreet colors.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Jundo]

No, I won't post again about my invitation to the nudist Zendo ...

All they said was, bring a Rakusu and your own towel.

Never made it because of a Florida hurricane, but I would have gone.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Chikyou]

Well, also.. be smart about it: loose fitting is better than tight jeans.. if one plans to sit for 30 minutes cross-legged .. ( bench in a park is a different story [emoji1] ) For zazenkai with sangha, we just go with muted, discreet colors.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

I find it helps me get into the right headspace. Sundays tend to be my Zazenkai/meal prep/catch up on reading for the week day and while I'm lounging around in my "Zen clothes" reading TreeLeaf, or cooking (watch those sleeves!) or doing laundry I find them to be a constant reminder of what I'm supposed to be doing (and not doing)...as a result I am spending more time with a book and less time on social media.

Also I live in blue jeans (or shorts) most of the time - I just sit in whatever I happen to be wearing daily (because I don't want to change clothes just for 20 minutes of sitting) and only break out the "special" clothes for Zazenkai or retreat.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Eigan]

I usually wear this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001147393374.html and https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32824468869.html as a 'chinese streetwear approach to Samue'. On days that I stay at home I usually don't change. I did notice that you can go to town on aliexpress on zen buddhist wear and stuff, as in for instance here: https://kungfuworld.aliexpress.com/s...250069378.html but see no need for myself. At this point, the rakusu is what counts as something with significance, the rest is, as Jundo says above, 'not really necessary'. The way I see things is that we're in the Nyoho-e tradition and if you want something special, get out the needle and thread. Sat today, LaH, Eigan.

[Bion]

I find it helps me get into the right headspace. Sundays tend to be my Zazenkai/meal prep/catch up on reading for the week day and while I'm lounging around in my "Zen clothes" reading TreeLeaf, or cooking (watch those sleeves!) or doing laundry I find them to be a constant reminder of what I'm supposed to be doing (and not doing)...as a result I am spending more time with a book and less time on social media.

Also I live in blue jeans (or shorts) most of the time - I just sit in whatever I happen to be wearing daily (because I don't want to change clothes just for 20 minutes of sitting) and only break out the "special" clothes for Zazenkai or retreat.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

As long as you’re comfortable!!! [emoji3526] [emoji1374]


Sat today