Fashion for a Clouded Mind

[RichardH]

Daizan,

If we wait for our life to be perfect before we embark on sewing the Kesa, life may have ended while we waited.

Gassho,
Heishu

Hello Heishu.

Others will view sowing or wearing the kesa differently, and that is fair. Embarking on sowing a kesa is, for me, about the decision to ordain. That has nothing to do with life being perfect, or "me" being perfect. It is about having the maturity. If you want to know if I am mature enough to train as a priest...ask my wife, and son....and neighbor. After been around Sangha for a long time this is straightforward to me. It make no difference if others agree or not. That's ok.

Gassho Daizan

[Byokan]

As a Sangha we learn from each other. This Sangha is a patchwork of people, each one of us so different and yet so much alike. We come to this place as an individual but yet we are sewn together as one Sangha. Just as the patches of cloth are sewn together to make a Rakusu or Kesa, so to, each person in this Sangha helps hold together one another as we gather and discuss things together.

Lisa

[Taigu]

Heishu nailed it.
So did Daizan in his usual stubborn style.
Both are right and true to themselves.

One thing though, this maturity you are talking about, Daizan, is but a flower in the sky.



gassho

Taigu

[RichardH]

One thing though, this maturity you are talking about, Daizan, is but a flower in the sky.

Daizan

[alan.r]

This is a wonderful thread. Only this to add from my little experience: played soccer yesterday in my soccer clothes and cleats and was tackled hard and came away with a big bruise and had a good handshake and hug afterward; wearing my "teaching uniform" now, button down and nice pants, etc, ready to share stories with students and see what they and I see of life and what we can learn together; mowed the grass in old shoes and torn shorts and had maneuver around to avoid a snake; rakusu on when sitting with all the summer insects - all of this one robe.

Gassho

[Meikyo]

Thank you all for this thread. So much wisdom here.

Gassho.

[Sekishi]

What an amazing discussion! I have nothing to offer when it comes to discussing the kesa, rakusu, etc. Deep bows to all for the wonderful patchwork that is this "robe of Treeleaf".

However, Danny, to your original note about being cold, my wonderful wife gave me a hooded cloak a few years ago which I wear when sitting in the winter, or outside on chilly days. When worn over long sleeves, I have rarely been cold:

http://www.dharmacrafts.com/101xMC/2CLOAKS/Hooded-Meditation-Cloak.html

Deep (warm) bows to all,
Sekishi

[Jika]

Thank you, Sekishi.
They do look cozy.

I had something similar on my mind, made from blankets, but well, the question is true: why invent something new if there is something traditional that used to serve people for exactly that purpose?

I've found a very big, soft old cotton curtain - if now somebody taught me how to wrap it Bodidharma-style around myself, I'd be set for the next months.

Though some might consider it necessary to cut off ones arm to serve Zen, I'd rather cover my right one, keep it warm, keep my hand and learn sewing...

(My mom makes a good Hollywood-style Zen master: "Will you put in the pins in as neatly as I'm doing!!". I'm lucky she has no stick. But the zafu cover is making progress. )

Gassho,
Danny

[Kyonin]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents, that as usual might be totally wrong.

I wear the kesa and rakusu because they remind me of practice and the commitment I made to serve all sentient beings. Even if I sew one or someone was gracious enough to give me one, the kesa is not mine and it shall never be.

The kesa is a symbol that depicts all what's sacred in the universe, all life and how it's interconnected. But at the same time it's just a piece of patchwork cloth. Each piece can be from a different place and time, yet it's tied to other pieces that create reality.

It has only the value one gives to it, but again, how can you put value on the Buddha?

Once you wear it you can never take it off. Once you start sewing, you want to keep on sewing. In silence and in trust.

And then I serve others, putting away the kesa and my needs for a moment.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Taigu]

Kyonin, you exactly described the relative and the absolute dimensions of this Okesa. And also, beyond any doubt it's universality. Those who have sewn it can understand and fathom what it represents. I will remember for ever your tears when you talked about your first kesa. In doing this and showing this, you were teaching me. As I was sitting this morning in my room-hermitage at 4:00, rain was pouring down outside. In this, it was impossible to say where the rain was and the kesa wasn't. Only those who are lucky enough can glimpse this. You are one of them.

And please remember you can certainly let go of your needs for a while, but you can never put the kesa down.

Deep bows, my teacher

Taigu

[Kyonin]

Taigu,

No words. Only gratitude.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Mp]

I wear the kesa and rakusu because they remind me of practice and the commitment I made to serve all sentient beings. Even if I sew one of someone was gracious enough to give me one, the kesa is not mine and it shall never be.

The kesa is a symbol that depicts all what's sacred in the universe, all life and how it's interconnected. But at the same time it's just a piece of patchwork cloth. Each piece can be from a different place and time, yet it's tied to other pieces that create reality.

Kyonin

Through distance and time you have touched my heart and spoke the words on my lips. Tears in my eyes! =)

Deep bows
Shingen

[Heishu]

Hello Heishu.

Others will view sowing or wearing the kesa differently, and that is fair. Embarking on sowing a kesa is, for me, about the decision to ordain. That has nothing to do with life being perfect, or "me" being perfect. It is about having the maturity. If you want to know if I am mature enough to train as a priest...ask my wife, and son....and neighbor. After been around Sangha for a long time this is straightforward to me. It make no difference if others agree or not. That's ok.

Gassho Daizan

Daizan,

Perhaps I misunderstood what you had said and I sincerely apologize. However, whether it be perfection or maturity will we ever attain it in this life? My point is simple, I have lived a long life and I know for myself I am neither perfect nor mature about many things. Yet, if I did not take the first step and try I would have never sewn a Rakusu nor completed Jukai. You speak of a desire to ordain, don't let life pass you by while wondering why you were not mature enough to try.

I will say no more to you concerning this as it is of course none of my business. The decision to ordain or do anything in life is a decision of the individual and I respect that. Sticking my nose into your personal life showed my lack of maturity at age 64 but yet I didn't let it stand in my way of expressing my point of view. I know that in my heart that if I truly wanted something bad enough I would do what I needed to do to obtain it.

Please understand I was not trying to put you down but lift you up to achieve your goal. I wonder how many Priest in Training can vouch for being mature enough to be one.

Be well Daizan, I know that you have a lot on your shoulders at this time in your life and I wish you no harm.

Gassho,
Heishu

[Shugen]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents, that as usual might be totally wrong.

I wear the kesa and rakusu because they remind me of practice and the commitment I made to serve all sentient beings. Even if I sew one or someone was gracious enough to give me one, the kesa is not mine and it shall never be.

The kesa is a symbol that depicts all what's sacred in the universe, all life and how it's interconnected. But at the same time it's just a piece of patchwork cloth. Each piece can be from a different place and time, yet it's tied to other pieces that create reality.

It has only the value one gives to it, but again, how can you put value on the Buddha?

Once you wear it you can never take it off. Once you start sewing, you want to keep on sewing. In silence and in trust.

And then I serve others, putting away the kesa and my needs for a moment.

Gassho,

Kyonin

Gracias Hermano.

Gassho,

Shugen


Shugen

[Joyo]

This is a wonderful discussion. Thank you everyone.

Gassho,
Joyo