Brad Warner on ordination

[Jundo]

Monk shops do exist. The one I visited, Matsumotoya in Kyoto, was amazing. All the textiles, gold ornaments, doodads, bells (no whistles) and very expensive okesas you can imagine. Sit down and share tea while you develop your order. Their catalog is 300 pages, color glossy, but sadly all in Japanese. Temple standards/fashion seems complicated.

Craving arising. Heehee

My thanks too to Piobair, for the "rakusu = servant" metaphor. I've also heard the okesa referred to as a sign that says "bring your suffering here."
Shinzan

Yes, it is a very interesting experience. Some of my Koromo and other items have come from Matsumotoya and other shops. First, they ask your school (Shingon, Tendai, Jodo, Nichiren, Zen ... if Zen, then Soto, Rinzai or Obaku ... if Soto, then whether Eiheiji or Sojiji Lineage, because the Sojiji and Eiheiji items are sometimes different).

Basically, they supply everything one would need for a temple ... from gold altars and statues, to incense and robes ... and it ain't cheap! Here, for example, are a couple of their "top of the line" Rakusu ... about $400 US for each. Even simple Rakusu start around $100.

http://www.matsumotoya.com/shop/products/list.php?category_id=93

I prefer our hand sewn way for sure!

Gassho, J

[Dosho]

Thank you Taigu.

I was actually referring to that very point. I thought Brad would be the type to just send his students to the "monk shop". I was pleasantly mistaken.

Gassho,
Dosho

hi Dosho,

rakusu of the nyohoe style, for lay people or priests NEVER have rings...

And if you get your rakusu from a monk shop, it will ALWAYS have a ring.

So ring is nothing to do with priesthood, but rather Japanese fashion.

gassho


Taigu

[Daijo]

Despite his aggressive sounding tone, Brad's actually a very traditional guy when it comes to his Zen.

[Nengyo]

Lovely!

And I love Brad's Rakusus ...




Gassho, J

Fantastic!

[Shohei]

Thanks for sharing Kirk!
I had read this a couple days ago and saw the pics of the rakusu - wonderful.

Gassho
Shohei