Rakusu Worn Under Clothes

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi Taigu and all,
I read somewhere recently that while Buddhism was suppressed in Japan monks wore the rakusu hidden under lay clothing. Is there any truth to this story does anyone know?
Gassho
Myozan

[Jundo]

Hi,

I have heard different versions of this story, from China not from Japan:

The rakusu was created during the devastating persecutions of Buddhism in
China during the 9th century CE. Monastics were forcibly returned to lay life, and some of them made
rakusus, which could be easily hidden under ordinary clothes, as a miniature version of the robes they were
no longer allowed to wear.

However, there are alternative origins ...

Some say that it developed during the transition to manual labor in China, because a full kasa was cumbersome. Some say it was originated during a time of persecution, so that Buddhists could wear the kasa, hidden and safe, under their outer clothing. It’s also been suggested that started as simply the “cloth bag that wandering monks wore to carry alms bowl and other small items,” which was later “formalized as a monastic ‘accoutrement’.” There are even Japanese scholars who believe that it was developed in Japan during the Edo or Tokugawa Era, as the result of sumptuary regulations which limited the size and fabric type of clerical wear.

http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma10/robe.html

I know an interesting story from Japan in the other direction. When the so called "hidden Christians" were persecuted in Feudal times, they hid their statues of Mary and Jesus as Kannon ... so called "Maria Kannon" ... Certain signs on it, like a subtle crucifix, show its intended meaning. I have a statue in my house I believe to be so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakure_Kirishitan

Gassho, J

[Myozan Kodo]

Thanks Jundo. Really interesting. Sometimes I wear a rakusu over my shirt but under my jumper / sweater at work. I work in a secular environment, so, the robe is totally hidden from sight. It reminds me of the way right there in the middle of my working day.
Gassho
Myozan

[Kyonin]

Very interesting!

Thank you, Jundo.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Jundo]

Thanks Jundo. Really interesting. Sometimes I wear a rakusu over my shirt but under my jumper / sweater at work. I work in a secular environment, so, the robe is totally hidden from sight. It reminds me of the way right there in the middle of my working day.
Gassho
Myozan

Hmm. Not so common to hide the Rakusu under a sweater, but if it is okay with Taigu it is fine with me.

Most Japanese priests I know (as far as I know), either wear theirs or take them off. Nishijima Roshi often wore a business suit and would wear a Rakusu or full Kesa over it when lecturing and such ...





... but for business, would keep his folded in its bag when not wearing it, or for example, on the train.



Gassho, J

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi,
Thanks Jundo. I usually do take mine off. This is something I do on occasion. I've mentioned it to Taigu a few times over the last few years.

If the story is true that the hidden rakusu is part of the tradition, then this way of wearing the rakusu does, in a way, pay homage to that tradition. Doesn't it?

Of course, I will take instruction on this.

By the way, I also take my rakusu if I'm travelling, going on a hike, etc. I always remember Taigu's teachings from those original YouTube films on this. What? Four or five years ago now? Filmed in a hot Japanese summer, in Jundo's place, I think.

Did you know people in other sangha are now using those films in sewing? I know the SFZC people are.

A great contribution to the history of the robe.

Gassho
Myozan

[Genshin]

Fascinating thread. A lesson a day. Thanks for sharing!

Gassho
Matt

[Taigu]

I don' t know if monks were hiding their rakusus under their clothing, Myozan.

Take care


Gassho


T.

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi,
It seems there are many stories connected with the rakusu. It is a story that makes sense, however. It does seem credible. Here, when Catholicism was suppressed, priests dressed in lay clothing and went among the people. There were secret masses, etc. Was Buddhism seriously suppressed in Japan? I have to look into the history...
Gassho
Myozan

[Jundo]

This is a good place to put an old visit with Nishijima Roshi when he was in better health than today. His subject was wearing the Kesa (called "Kāṣāya" in Sanscrit). The sit-a-long was recorded in his tiny retirement apartment ...

Gassho, J

[Amelia]

I never noticed before that Nishijima Roshi is in a movie called "The Zen Mind" that I watched years ago.

[Shokai]

Thank you Myozan for this thread also Jundo and Geika for the video clips. I received a copy of the Shobogenzo upon joining the zazen group at Shokoji in Yamane-cho in Hiroshima and subsequently lost it in moving. It wasn't until around 2004 that I was reminded of it and started to search on the internet where i became familiar with Nishijima-roshi and his work and came across Treeleaf a few years later as a result. Following that I of course learned of the kasaya and rakusu; those funny things I had seen some of the zazen group wearing. Most of all i am thankful for these endearing images of our Dharma Grandad gleaned from your vids.
Nishijima.jpg

gassho, Shokai

[Nenka]

Did you know people in other sangha are now using those films in sewing? I know the SFZC people are.

That might be happening around here, too. Last fall I sat with a local group a couple times. One person was making a rakusu but had stalled on a tricky part. I told her about how I made mine from the videos, and how we had a sort of virtual sewing circle here, and for the first time since I'd mentioned being part of an online sangha, a light seemed to go on. "Sewing circle, of course!" '

Gassho,

Jen

[Amelia]

Thank you Myozan for this thread also Jundo and Geika for the video clips.

You're welcome.

Most of all i am thankful for these endearing images of our Dharma Grandad gleaned from your vids.

Me too

Gassho