is Zen Zen without the Okesa?

[Taigu]

Yes and no Shawn.
Please would you write to me and explain why you want to sew a kesa?
Thatnwould be helpful.

Gassho

Taigu

[Taigu]

Kyonin,

The way you describe the sewing process is very true and honest.

Thank you for being with us and this beautiful bright pearl.


Gassho


Taigu

[Heisoku]

Consider it done!

Gassho
Shohei

Thank you Shohei. Gasho.

[Hans]

Hello,

thanks for everybody's input (especially Taigu ), I'm about to make myself a nice cup of tea and will resume sewing a new O-Kesa in a second... Everybody's enthusiasm is really bringing home to me the beauty of this tradition. Many years ago I felt that it was all about perfectionism, since some people I had met didn't really radiate the warmth that many of you folks do...or maybe I just didn't see it at the time. Anyhow, since I am extremely clumsy (seriously, I am not fishing for compliments here), sewing the kesa is a sure way to show me that this way is never ending.

Gassho and all the best,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Brian Roessler]

Hans, that perfectionism is something I can really relate to. I have sometimes felt like there is virtue in being a "good" sewer, and as I sewed my okesa occasionally felt the enormous weight of believing that I was not good enough to be doing this.

It came to a real head when I was almost done with it. I was cutting the thread after sewing on the last joro. My scissors slipped and I cut the fabric of the okesa. I was absolutely horrified. For the next couple nights I lay in bed before falling asleep replaying it in my head, imagining the small movement that would have avoided the whole thing, wishing for a way to undo that
moment. When it was time to meet with my teacher, I unwrapped the okesa and showed her what I had done, feeling really nervous. Her reaction was amazing to me - she looked at it, and with absolutely no judgement began helping me to repair it.

I learned so much from that episode. I'm really glad I made that mistake - without it I would have suffered under that particular misunderstanding for much longer. The okesa is something different than I had thought. It doesn't rely on my skill as a sewer, and it's not vulnerable to my mistakes.

Thank you all for reading my confessions

[Genki]

Thank you Taigu. Deep bows.

Gassho, Genki


Björn

[Nengyo]

Thank you Taigu.

Gassho

[Jundo]

This is an old thread, but the message is good.

Yes, here we sew a Rakusu for those undertaking Jukai.

Sometimes I wear a Kesa, sometimes I wear a Rakusu, sometimes I do not ... but it is always present and covering all even if not seen with the eye. (The dark underrobes are just old Chinese clothing, but I wear them to honor Tradition when the time is right). This Saturday, our monthly long Zazenkai, I will wear full underrobes and Kesa. Other days, I may sit with no visible Kesa or Rakusu at all ... perhaps in a t-shirt on the beach ... but it is always present. We chant ...

Robe of Liberation boundless
Field beyond both form and formless
Wearing the Tathagatha’s Teachings
Vowing to save all sentient beings

Gassho, Jundo

[Roland]

Thank you for this thread. I must admit that I feel a bit afraid of sewing and the whole robe thing. Primarily because I'm clumsy and impatient. Also because I had associations with hierarchical clergy which made me think of oppressive religious institutions - even though I also knew on a rational basis that this was totally not what Zen is about. Before reading this thread I already thought about having a closer look at it. Maybe it's not that horribly difficult. Maybe it's not about becoming an award-winning fashionista in Zen regalia. Now, after reading this trhead, I do know I will have a close look at it.
Thank you so much.

Gassho

Roland

[Heishu]

Thank you for this thread. I must admit that I feel a bit afraid of sewing and the whole robe thing. Primarily because I'm clumsy and impatient. Also because I had associations with hierarchical clergy which made me think of oppressive religious institutions - even though I also knew on a rational basis that this was totally not what Zen is about. Before reading this thread I already thought about having a closer look at it. Maybe it's not that horribly difficult. Maybe it's not about becoming an award-winning fashionista in Zen regalia. Now, after reading this trhead, I do know I will have a close look at it.
Thank you so much.

Gassho

Roland

Roland, I certainly encourage you to have a close look at sewing the Rakusu. Be not afraid of clumsiness or impatience. The process is hard and easy all rolled up into one experience. I am not a person that sews but I did sew my Rakusu; with cloth, thread, needle, and guidance I began one stich at a time, one breath at a time until it was finished. I was reluctant to do the Jukai because of the sewing but I am glad that I did.

Gassho,
Heishu

[Daitetsu]

Hi Roland,

Just take a look at what I wrote above in this thread...
And then about one year later I sewed a rakusu. I did not think much about it, but when the time came it just felt like "the thing to do".
After all sewing and sitting zazen are actually the same.

Gassho,

Daitetsu

[Joyo]

Oh what sewing my rakusu taught me, I could write a book about that one. Maybe someday I will.

Thank you for this teaching, Taigu.

Gassho,
Joyo

[chicanobudista]

Don't know. ...

gassho...Erik

[Jishin]

Hi Roland,

It's hard to say what sewing has taught me.

Gassho, Jishin

[Mp]

Sewing has taught me that each stitch is like each moment in life ... some good, some bad ... but all beautiful and wonderful just as it is. =)

Gassho
Shingen