Juzu

[Emmet]

I sat (Burmese, as usual) zazen with my sangha Sunday; during the third round went and sat in daisan. When I arose, ; my "bad" knee went seriously bad, so I spent yesterday in a chair with my leg up on a pillow, or hobbling about on my cane. As I was convalescing, I took the opportunity to execute a project I've had in mind for a while; a Soto juzu.

[Koshin]

Re: Juzu

Beautiful Piobair.... but I am very ignorant ops: How do you use it??? How many beads does it have (I counted 113)??

Gassho

[mark]

Re: Juzu

Lovely work.

[Rich]

Re: Juzu

I also have knee problems but have seen dramatic improvement since taking Krill Oil. I recommend the Neptune brand. The 'experts' say their manufacturing process is more advanced.

[Shokai]

Re: Juzu

Emmet;
I count 112, including 4 markers (smaller beads. That would be 108 counters and possibly 113; the main bead connecting to the tassle. Was this from a kit or do you select your own beads and go from scratch? As well, are these sandalwood beads?

p.s. i just depend on exercise and massage to get my knees through the day but, putting them up and making a juzu sounds like an ok idea.

p.p.s. more on Nenju / Juzu http://bit.ly/irJ2Z6

[Ryumon]

Re: Juzu

That is indeed very attractive.

But, yes, how do you use it? And did this really help your knee? If so, I need one! :-)

[Hans]

Re: Juzu

Hello,

excellent work. It looks very nice...wish I wasn't so clumsy.

All the best and gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Jinyo]

Re: Juzu

Lovely - I do hope your knee heals soon.

Gassho

Willow

[Seimyo]

Re: Juzu

Very nice. Almost looks like agate.

Yes, I'm interested to hear how they are used in context to our practice. When I first started a practice years ago, I used a sandalwood mala to count mantras. The smell alone was calming. I'm missing them now that I talk about it. :?

Gassho,
Chris

[Dokan]

Re: Juzu

I'm interested to hear how they are used in context to our practice.

This has come up several times over the years:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2037&p=29037

and

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60&p=508

and

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4120&p=69028

Lots to read up on but of course Jundo's posts give the most information on the historical and practical aspects.

Gassho,

Dokan

[Seimyo]

Re: Juzu

Thanks Dokan, that was interesting.

Gassho,
Chris

[Emmet]

Re: Juzu

No, it's not a kit. It was a generic mala I bought on EBay and re-strung to meet my needs. It's a 108 bead sandalwood juzu with 4 spacer beads and one parent bead; strung with 3 strands. The tassel is a 4-part square braid (doubled) and finished with a Turks-head knot (back in the day I was pretty good at marlinspike seamanship). To the best of my knowledge the beads represent the 108 obstacles to practice, and the ring represents the Dharma, which encompasses them all, but I defer to Jundo's superior knowledge of the subject.
I will probably use it for counting repetitions; like metta (as one of my teachers once said; "That's not our practice.....(smile)...but it's a very good practice!"), or gathas I'm trying to memorize.
I found just the making of the juzu itself to be a good exercise in mindful attention and intention.
My knee's a bit better, although I suspect that ice, NSAIDs, elevation, and my blackthorn stick is somewhat more therapeutic in this case.

[Jundo]

Re: Juzu

To the best of my knowledge the beads represent the 108 obstacles to practice, and the ring represents the Dharma, which encompasses them all, but I defer to Jundo's superior knowledge of the subject.

The ring represents the ring. 8)

However, I am going to ask around the Soto Zen teachers network, as I do not know the traditional meaning of what the ring is said to represent. I shall report back.

Gassho, J

[Kyonin]

Re: Juzu

Nice work!

Too bad to hear about your knee. Hope it gets better soon.

[Jundo]

Re: Juzu

Hi,

Let me report back on the mysterious metal ring found on the "Soto-shu" style Juzu (Mala).

First, I inquired of the many noted American Soto Zen Teachers of the SZBA and ... got a big zero (shaped much like the ring). Then, I called two Japanese priests who were also not sure. Finally, I telephoned to Ando ... the renowned "Hoiya" (literally, "Dharma Tailor") here in Japan, supplier of Kesa, Koromo, Incense and Juzu to all the finest temples in the Land of the Rising Sun. I received a very patient and long explanation that basically came down to ...

It represents Emptiness (not to be confused with a "zero" however!), crossing through the 108 virtues and defilements ...

... and on a more practical level, it is a counter so one does not lose one's place as one is chanting down the beads (not a major Soto practice, but some do so). It is also found on the Joto (Pure Land) Juzu for that reason.

However, the gentleman has promised to mail me a more detailed, written explanation of all this ... and I will report back here if there is something more there.

I still am not sure if that is the right answer, but it is an answer ... and as good as any answer, I suppose. In fact, is that not how so many of our ancient Teachings began, with someone educated guessing, misreading, supposing, imagining or just making it up? If that is not the "traditional meaning" of the metal ring ... let it be so from now on!

Gassho, Jundo