Japanese Samue Sewing Pattern

[Biko]

Here's a link to the ONLY place I've been able to find a pattern for a samue set. For anyone interested in comfortable practice clothing, samues are the sh*t. Unfortunately to buy a samue set pre made is prohibitively expensive. So if anyone is talented with stitchery here you go. I'm planning on making one in black for myself.

http://www.fabrictales.com/STORE/store.cgi?cart_id=7590833.IP75.133.18.117IP.30124.s0&product=ptn&productid=pts6005&sales=0&lastmenu=

Gassho, Jeffrey

[Bunny]

Way cool! I would love to hear how you like the pattern,your experience with it. Do you speak/read Japanese? I am curious how easy (or not) it would be for an English speaker to follow.
Gassho

[Jundo]

Let me just offer one comment. I also love to wear Samue sometimes as they are very VERY comfortable. (And, anyway, I live in Japan).

However, such clothing is not needed for "Zen" at all. (It is also not not needed).

In this Sangha, we hold the Kesa as precious, enveloping the whole universe and the Buddha's teachings. In my view, the Rakusu/Kesa is ordinary cloth that, when the heart feels so, embodies Great Teachings and Sacred Meanings (Really, for me ... and I know Taigu might say it otherwise ... it is not so unlike how Christians might take two ordinary pieces of wood, glue them together, and symbolically encounter in their hearts and merge into Great Teachings, a Whole Universe of Sacred Meaning in the result).

But the rest of the Chinese/Japanese look ... well, good to dress that way if an ancient Chinese Mandarin or Japanese Samurai I suppose. Otherwise, a little silly.

Some folks like to sit Zazen wearing some "lay Zen robes" or other special clothing ...




... just like making a special sacred space in our homes where we sit Zazen helps us to realize some sacred moment and to step back from the dusty day-to-day world a bit. I think it a good thing if it helps someone get into the mood, but also completely unnecessary. So, I put on special robes for our Sangha Zazenkai each month simply to be respectful of History and Tradition at such times. Nothing wrong with sitting that way, and please do if it helps you touch the Sacred and Special. But I simultaneously believe (Zen let's us see things in many ways!) that we can sit anywhere, that all of life is sacred when tasted as such ... that the most ordinary is special ... that there is no sacred space left out, and nothing that need be worn. So, while there will be time for our robes ... I also believe in something that my teacher, Nishijima Roshi, used to allow ... and we can also sometimes sit in t-shirts and short pants in the Zendo, with maybe just a Rakusu if you have one.

He sat like this quite often ...



Don't exclude one way or the other, so long as all is held as sacred!

We do tend to emphasize loose fitting, comfortable, not distractingly colored or brightly patterned clothing for practical reasons. We avoid jeans, for example, as they tend to constrict. Also, nothing too sexy and revealing so as not to distract the other sitters! In Japan and many Western Sangha, short pants are considered impolite if sitting with other people, and I do not do so when sitting with other groups, although I often wear them on my own. Most days, when sitting at home, I wear shorts with t-shirt and Rakusu, or whatever I happen to be wearing.

Gassho, J

[Jundo]

A good time to mention these guys again ...

I recommend that you should wear CLOTHES, although even that is optional. Once I was invited to teach at the nudist Zendo in Florida (I just missed the opportunity, would do it next time). I think they put towels on top of the Zafus. :

Skyclad Zendo


Follow teachings of Toni Packer and Springwater Center. The Skyclad Zendo is a naturist Zen meditation group which follows a non-traditional approach of open inquiry through awareness, mindfulness and attention. We meet every Sunday morning for two hours of zazen au naturel, from 10 A.M. to noon in the yoga room at Paradise Lakes Resort, 2001 Brinson Rd., Lutz, FL 33558-8367. We also offer seven-day silent meditation retreats with various teachers.

Gassho, Jundo

[Jundo]

By the way, Nishijima Roshi sometimes dresses like this too. It depends on the situation I suppose ...

[MyoHo]

Hi Jundo,

I just love that picture of Nishijima Roshi sitting in plain clothes except for the Okesa. In the video made by Gustav it is even more visible how Roshi just sits down without much ado. Naturally as if having tea. No pomp, circumstance or ceremony, just sit. To me that our practice. Separating sitting from all the other practice during the day has some merit I guess? An old Kendo Keikogi ( kind of kimono jacket) will do just fine for me, more because it does not tie at the waist. Dressing up, depending on appearances or trying to make the perfect "zen picture" is just another attachment I think? For teachers and Roshi's that may be a bit different since they have a function in the public's eye and tradition to guard and keep. For us simple slackers there is no real need for dress up (so happy about that ) Just work hard at it and sit up straight, right?

Could use a Koromo for when I start Takuhatsu though. Anyone up for it?

Just my opinion, immature as always

Gassho

Enkyo

[MyoHo]

A good time to mention these guys again ...

I recommend that you should wear CLOTHES, although even that is optional. Once I was invited to teach at the nudist Zendo in Florida (I just missed the opportunity, would do it next time). I think they put towels on top of the Zafus. :



Gassho, Jundo

Another T-shirt in the making! Hahahahhahahahahahh! Precious!

E.

[Myozan Kodo]

Good luck with the sewing.

I like to wear samue at home because, as Jundo says, they are VERY very comfortable. Also, I want to save my other cloths, as my kids tend to throw food at me, spill drinks on me, pee on me, etc! I don't wear them as outside cloths, however, as I don't live in a place where that just wouldn't be wierd.

Otherwise, I dress respectfully for work, with a shirt and sometimes suit, depending on if I have a visiting speaker in for the students.

And with the sitting group at college, I wear my work cloths with my Kesa over them (much like Nishijima above).

However, i wear the full, formal robes whenever involved in priestly activity, zazenkai, services and the like.

Otherwise it's jeans, etc ... though rarely just a t-shirt ... it's not often warm enough for that here.

I look forward to seeing your finished samue.

Gassho
Myozan

[Jinyo]

I really appreciate what you write in this thread Jundo. Sitting with no clothes feel as close - as close - can be to Zen

I don't gravitate to wearing robes at all - and whilst respecting the tradition of this - it goes against a principle for me. I feel getting in the mood is a state of mind and totally non-dependent on any kind of clothing. I'm cautious around clothing that designates hierarchy because I feel trust and respect needs to be earnt and not assumed. One's outer garments are no indication of what is in the heart and sadly the principle of trust we attach to certain forms of dress (clergy, doctors, police, politicians, teachers, etc) doesn't signify.

I do understand the sacred nature of the Kesa and probably shouldn't comment not having sewn one yet. But I think, when I do, the meaning will be in the act of sewing and I won't want to wear the kesa when sitting. I could no doubt be wrong.

Most of all, I feel a 'uniform' of any kind has the potential to create difference and distance - as well as unity.

It's a fine line.

Gassho

Willow

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi Willow,

Interesting post.

Is it not the case also that not dressing in a certain way in certain contexts shows disrespect?

For example, showing up at a funeral or wedding wearing shorts and a t-shirt?

Also, when walking the corridors of a hospital looking for help, it's nice to be able to recognise who's who.

Context appears to be very important here, rather then some general rule.

Gassho
Myozan

[Mp]

Thanks for the post Jeffrey ... I am like Jundo and Myozan where I like to hang around the house in my Samue - super comfy. This is the one that I wear and found it to be a reasonable price http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=271206918682.

Gassho
Shingen

[Taikyo]

I do sit in lay robes frequently - not for special occasion but most days I guess it has come from sitting on my own for years with no sangha or group where some inspiration and routine was necessary to sustain practicing alone with no support & then later with groups that do wear lay robes. I see nothing 'unusual' with it - what & why make a distinction between robes and shorts and tee shirts does one feel less formal in one than in the other? Is it "cool" to be dressed in one way and not another? I can be making a statement it seems what ever I wear, " look at me I don't have to be formal" or " look at me I have to be formal" To be honest I don't think about it I guess what ever helps you practice - it's all concepts any way is it not? And I like Japhy Ryder's (Gary Snyder's) dictum when he says " All comparisons are odious" The trouble with positions of course is that one has to take one. And if one says " but I have no position" point out that, that is also a position!
I will continue to wear me lay robe to practice & when take Tokudo I will wear a Koromo to practice. And if it doesn't fit a particular dress code or someone's idea of what goes then I am sorry but Thank You ("is that so")



With deep bows

David

[Jundo]

Yes, David, I would say that we are not attached to the robes ... and not even attached to not not being attached ...

Please wear them well should such strike your heart.

Gassho, J

[Genshin]

Hi Myozan,

Out of curiosity, did you purchase your samue in Europe some place, if so where?

Thanks & Gassho,
Matt

Good luck with the sewing.

I like to wear samue at home because, as Jundo says, they are VERY very comfortable. Also, I want to save my other cloths, as my kids tend to throw food at me, spill drinks on me, pee on me, etc! I don't wear them as outside cloths, however, as I don't live in a place where that just wouldn't be wierd.

Otherwise, I dress respectfully for work, with a shirt and sometimes suit, depending on if I have a visiting speaker in for the students.

And with the sitting group at college, I wear my work cloths with my Kesa over them (much like Nishijima above).

However, i wear the full, formal robes whenever involved in priestly activity, zazenkai, services and the like.

Otherwise it's jeans, etc ... though rarely just a t-shirt ... it's not often warm enough for that here.

I look forward to seeing your finished samue.

Gassho
Myozan

[Myozan Kodo]

http://www.boutiquezen.com/

Gassho
Myozan