Sewing Buddha’s Robe
… right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration
Sewing is a practice for developing concentration and patience, expressing devotion to the Buddha Dharma.
“Rakusu 絡子 The smallest style of kesa, shaped like a bib and worn around the neck. The smallest of the Buddhist robes, the rakusu is made of five strips of cloth which are sewn together and suspended from the neck by a cloth halter. It is worn by lay practitioners and priests. It is received during the jukai or tokudo ceremony. The rakusu is symbolic of the Buddha's patched robe. In Suzuki rōshi lineage custom, blue rakusu are sewn for lay ordination, black for priest ordination, green for lay entrustment and brown for those with Dharma transmission; but these colors vary in other Zen lineages.”
Led by Rev. Gene Bush
Anybody who is sewing a rakusu with the permission of their teacher, is welcome to sew with us. Please come for instruction or community.
Participation by those who need to sew an envelope, repair an old rakusu or robe, or wish to sew a robe as a gift, is also encouraged.
Please see the calendar for sewing dates and times.
We are now meeting in the Santa Cruz Zen Center community room at 113 School St. Outdoor seating is available.
