Rakusu Procedure?

[Shohei]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

is it really important to do the kesa verse with the rakusu on your head? because i for one dont do it...

although i liked the idea of touch the forehead with the rakusu 3 times... might adopt it and start doing that instead with the verse...
i guess that having the rakusu on top of my own head isnt my cup of tea. although i dont really mind it if it is important.

Gassho, Dojin.

Hiya Dojin!

Ha perhaps that is all the more reason to do it

Thinking about why I do it - I guess at first I thought I probably looked silly. I look silly regardless - big deal! I am! I looked at it like this - Took the time to sew it with my best intentions, sticth by clumsy incorrect stitch, care for it, and revere it as the buddhas teachings might as well do it full out - and according to Dogen it was important. That said its still up to you really... Again maybe look at why you are reserved about it? There will be much better post than this with reasons for or not for so just my long winded opinion

Gassho
Shohei
(and son who helped type this)

[Jundo]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

is it really important to do the kesa verse with the rakusu on your head? because i for one dont do it...

although i liked the idea of touch the forehead with the rakusu 3 times... might adopt it and start doing that instead with the verse...
i guess that having the rakusu on top of my own head isnt my cup of tea. although i dont really mind it if it is important.

Gassho, Dojin.

You do not need to put the Rakusu on you head, but you must put your head under the Rakusu. 8)

Because you do not like to do that ... please do that.

Gassho, Jundo

[Seishin the Elder]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

Very good Jundo! I really heard that.

Gassho,

Kyrill-Seishin

[Undo]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

.

[Taigu]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

Undo,

As I said, it is the way I was shown some 30 years ago and I believe there are many variations to do it. So your way sounds great too. Putting the kesa on one's head and singing the sutra is an important part of our practice. You might be willing to investigate it.


gassho

Taigu

[Undo]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

.

[Dojin]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

the reason i dont like doing it... well as silly as it might sound i have a girlfriend that really isnt that supportive about it, actually i dont have anyone who supports me in my practice most people think its stupid and just let me be except for a little remark here and there... i guess i just dont want to explain it to people and have them judge me as. does the verse have to be said out loud or quietly in my own mind?

and could i just touch the rakusu 3 times to my forehead while saying the verse, out loud or in my mind?

Gassho, Dojin.

[Shohei]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

Hi Dojin again take my stuff with a grain or 10000 of salt -
You do not have to explain anything if you do not want. Firstly your being judged, whether you have a pile of rags on your head or not! (like it or not, its what people do, me included) - Its doesn't bother us if people were to say ...

"Wow...that's one sweet bib!! tell me how you made it and what it means!!" (lol hasnt happened yet) right?

Unless its endangering you or your loved ones... Try to let that "judged" worry go. Heck - Tell them your getting enlightened via osmosis :twisted: Its not easy, but it is You that needs to deal with it, not your girlfriend or others... they may (or may not!) come around when they experience the benefits of you practicing!

I still say do it, however, Don't have to chant the verse of the kesa out loud in a foreign-to-you-language, quietly in your head in your words is cool (whos gonna know ;D)




Gassho
Shohei

Attached files

[Dojin]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

Shohei, tanks for the encouragment.

English aint a very foreign language to me i know it better than the 2 other languages i know ( funny thinking one is my native and the other i grow up with so they both are native to me ).

I must admit i dont wear my rakusu so often... i am a student and i rent an apartment with my girlfriend. we usually go back to my parents house on the weekends. so i keep it there and wear it when ever i sit there. but mostly without it since its not here with me.
actually been thinking of sawing another one so i could have one for each house.

as for doing the kesa verse i think i might do it... or atleast i will try to start doing it... i must say that lately my practice hasnt been very good. i still sit almost daily, although i am sometimes too tired to sit for longer than 20 minutes, so i sometimes sit 10.

but i havent been doing much except sitting. no metta or nurturing seeds.

although i try to put my practice in to everything i do. and i am sure it is since everything i do is effected by the person i am and this practice has become an integral part of who i am and i know it changed me. so i guess i practice each day at work with patients and in every part of my life.

as for dana... just wanted to mention that i donated thrombocytes (blood platelets). i do it once in a while.
just wanted to suggest it as a dana for everyone... i dont know how it is in other countries but here there is always a serious shortage since they only last for about a week and are often needed to save lives in cases of severe bleeds.

so if you have a few hours and dont mind getting pricked with very big needles ( they do use a big one 16g, which is pretty big ) or being strapped to a dialysis like machine for an hour or so... i encourage everyone do do it.
i have helped a child with cancer last time... they called me since i am registered as a Donner and i do it every few month and asked me if i could come and donate since it was urgent. so i put my things aside and made the effort to go and do it, feels good doing something good for others even though i will never meet the person i helped.

Gassho. Dojin.

[Shohei]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

i must say that lately my practice hasnt been very good.

If i had a nickle for every time Ive thought/said the above, id have a lot of nickles! :lol:
Seriously though it sounds like "normal" practice to me - short sitting good sitting no sitting and on. The metta and seed nurturing I also have a resistance too and I've been trying to just do it for that reason... somtimes i modify the wording because i forget the one on the form. Been making a point to sit the the zazenkai's -and since im already doing it I have been doing the metta verses etc.

You got your self a deal on the blood donation! I think all areas of the globe need a good donor base.
I got some kinda blood that is great for all but i can only receive my own type?? Anywho I hit the next clinic in a couple of weeks!
Besides I don't mind needles much (unless i have to give em) /me shivers

Thank you, Dojin, for every thing!

Gassho
Shohei

[Dojin]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

you probebly have O- its like one of the rarest if not the rarest blood type.
it is always in demand. and if you could donate such a type that would be a very good thing...
i have the most common but it can be used almost by everyone. i have O+

Gassho, Dojin

[Dosho]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

I believe I have O+ as well. As I understand it, O+ can be given to anyone with a + but not a -, while people with O- can give to anyone.

[Dojin]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

yes Dosho, that is absolutely right.

[Taigu]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

Hi Dojin,

This is where real practice starts...When you are getting out of the comfort zone and start to bargain with the path. We don't bargain with the path. The rakusu represents not just your blood ( O ) but the blood of all ancestors (any blood type) and beyond, all existences (blood types or not). Putting this cloth on your head makes you a clown, so be it! Who dislikes being a clown except the lovely cuddled ego centered voice in you? Can't you see how this challenges your belief system and shows you where your daily reactions arise from? I am the same, made of the same stuff, Dojin, I am not better or wiser. I tend to surrender more, maybe. That's all. Can't you give up the idea of what you like like for other people? Putting that cloth of your head is now your big challenge until the next one. In Zen, we call this a gate. A barrier. Could be seen as a personnal Koan. You take it, chew it, swallow it and get on with your life. I would recommand you not to sew a kesa until you can do this simple action without any more resistance. Good luck with the work.

Gassho

Taigu

PS wearing the rakusu during zazen is not optional. As much as possible, one should always do it.

[Dojin]

Re: Rakusu Procedure?

you know when i think about it... you are right Taigu. i did resist doing it because i thought what people think of me but i realize that i dont really care what they think. so i will start putting it on my head and chanting! actually even looking forward to it a bit ( next time im home and sitting with the rakusu )
thank you for this encouragement...
Gassho, Dojin.