Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
  • Home
  • Programming
    • Zoom Program Links
    • Introductory Class
    • Sunday/Tuesday Talks
    • Calendar
    • Classes
    • Retreats and Workshops
    • Daily Meditation
    • Curriculum
    • Affinity Groups
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Programs
  • Resources
    • Sunday Talk Archive
    • Chants and Services
    • MZMC Authors
    • Sewing Practice
    • Books and Links
    • Spiritual Care
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Library
    • Ceremonies
    • Primers
  • Community
    • Council Process
    • Race and Climate Justice Action
    • Pastoral Care &Mutual Aid
    • People of Color Dharma Group
    • Waking Up to Race
    • LGBTQ+ Dharma Group
    • Tara Dharma Group
    • Yoga Class
    • Volunteer/Work Practice
    • Buddhism and Recovery
    • Joyce Food Shelf
  • Katagiri project
    • Katagiri Project
    • Biography and Lineage
    • Books, Photos, and Videos
    • Audio Archive Project >
      • The Dainin Katagiri Audio Archive
    • Tomoe Katagiri
    • Blog
  • About MZMC
    • About MZMC
    • Teachers
    • Board
    • Ethics
    • Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
    • History of Inclusivity
    • Initiation and Priest Training
    • Building Project
    • Contact
  • Support
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Donation-Only Programming
    • Volunteer

​Study of the Okesa, Nyohō-e: Buddha's Robe

Picture
The practice of sewing Buddha’s robes has been a tradition in this country since the early 1970s. Our founding sewing teacher, Tomoe Katagiri, studied sewing with Eshun Roshida Roshi at San Francisco Zen Center and in Japan. Tomoe brought the practice with her to Minnesota Zen Meditation Center and taught sewing here for nearly 40 years until her retirement. Sewing is now taught at MZMC by Keido Thotland, with the help of dedicated assistants.
​

All priests at MZMC sew their own robes (called okesa) and bowing cloths (zagu); laypeople who choose to receive Zen Initiation sew their own miniature robes (rakusu).  This style of sewing is a meditative practice in which the sewing student takes refuge in the Buddha with every stitch. 
​

Tomoe’s sewing book is available as a download. It is a very valuable resource, but the instructions are best used with a teacher's guidance.


Download the book

Suggested donation: $10 
DOWNLOAD STUDY OF THE OKESA
Picture

SEARCH THIS SITE

Our location

Picture
  • Home
  • Programming
    • Zoom Program Links
    • Introductory Class
    • Sunday/Tuesday Talks
    • Calendar
    • Classes
    • Retreats and Workshops
    • Daily Meditation
    • Curriculum
    • Affinity Groups
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Programs
  • Resources
    • Sunday Talk Archive
    • Chants and Services
    • MZMC Authors
    • Sewing Practice
    • Books and Links
    • Spiritual Care
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Library
    • Ceremonies
    • Primers
  • Community
    • Council Process
    • Race and Climate Justice Action
    • Pastoral Care &Mutual Aid
    • People of Color Dharma Group
    • Waking Up to Race
    • LGBTQ+ Dharma Group
    • Tara Dharma Group
    • Yoga Class
    • Volunteer/Work Practice
    • Buddhism and Recovery
    • Joyce Food Shelf
  • Katagiri project
    • Katagiri Project
    • Biography and Lineage
    • Books, Photos, and Videos
    • Audio Archive Project >
      • The Dainin Katagiri Audio Archive
    • Tomoe Katagiri
    • Blog
  • About MZMC
    • About MZMC
    • Teachers
    • Board
    • Ethics
    • Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
    • History of Inclusivity
    • Initiation and Priest Training
    • Building Project
    • Contact
  • Support
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Donation-Only Programming
    • Volunteer