Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
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​Study of the Okesa, Nyohō-e: Buddha's Robe

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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 the robes (called okesa), bowing cloths (zagu), and miniature robes (rakusu) is now taught by Tomoe’s student and successor, Rosemary Taylor, with the help of dedicated assistants.
All priests at MZMC sew their own okesa and zagu; laypeople who choose to receive Zen Initiation sew their own 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
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  • Home
  • Programming
    • MZMC Programming
    • Zoom Program Links
    • Introductory Class
    • Sunday/Tuesday Talks
    • Classes
    • Retreats and Workshops
    • Daily Meditation
    • Calendar
    • Curriculum
    • Affinity Groups
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Programs
  • Resources
    • MZMC Resources
    • Sunday Talk Archive
    • Chants and Services
    • MZMC Authors
    • Tim Burkett's Blog
    • Sewing Practice
    • Books and Links
    • Spiritual Care
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Library
    • Ceremonies
    • Primers
    • Newsletter
  • Community
    • MZMC Community
    • 50th Online Booklet
    • Council Process
    • Racial Justice Action
    • People of Color Dharma Group
    • Death and Dying Book Group
    • Waking Up to Race
    • LGBTQ+ Dharma Group
    • Volunteer
    • 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
    • Support MZMC
    • Membership and Donation Season
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Donation-Only Programming
    • Volunteer