Brad Warner on ordination

[Ryumon]

Some interesting thoughts on something that's been on my mind lately:

http://hardcorezen.info/ordination-and-stuff/2437

"People have asked what it means to be ordained as a Zen priest. The best answer I can give is I don’t know. I was ordained by Nishijima Roshi many years ago. But he never sat me down and told me what it was supposed to mean. He seemed to feel that I could work that out for myself. Whatever questions I asked him about it were met with answers from him that boiled down to, “You will figure it out.”"

[Jundo]

Lovely!

And I love Brad's Rakusus ...




Gassho, J

[Emmet]

At "Beginner's Night" meditation class recently, someone asked what rank or status was conferred by the rakuzu. I replied, "That of servant."

[Jiken]

At "Beginner's Night" meditation class recently, someone asked what rank or status was conferred by the rakuzu. I replied, "That of servant."

Deep bows. I will remember this.

Gassho

Daido

[Taigu]

Excellently put, Piobair. I always say that a priest is like something for all sentient beings to walk on. No special dignity. No rank. Nothing.

thank you for that reminder

gassho

Taigu


Soto Daiji and Shisho example as sent by Taigu.JPG

[Kyonin]

At "Beginner's Night" meditation class recently, someone asked what rank or status was conferred by the rakuzu. I replied, "That of servant."

Like Dosho says, wearing a rakusu is like wearing an apron. "How can I be of service?"

Thank you.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Kokuu]

At "Beginner's Night" meditation class recently, someone asked what rank or status was conferred by the rakuzu. I replied, "That of servant."

Really like this, Piobair.

Excellent article by Brad too. Thank you for the share, Kirk.

Gassho
Andy

[Myosha]

Hello,

"You will figure it out out."

Ain't it the truth.

Thank you.


Gassho,
Edward

[Dosho]

Yes, they certainly represent Brad well.

I was surprised that the rakusus didn't have a ring.

Gassho,
Dosho

Lovely!

And I love Brad's Rakusus ...




Gassho, J

[Myozan Kodo]

Gassho

[Genshin]

At "Beginner's Night" meditation class recently, someone asked what rank or status was conferred by the rakuzu. I replied, "That of servant."

Good to be reminded of this. Thank you, Piobair.

Thanks for the share, Kirk.

Gassho
Matt

[Taigu]

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

[Ryumon]

A "monk shop?" That exists?


(Posted from my iPhone; please excuse any typos or brevity.)

[Myosha]

Thank you.


Gassho,
Edward

[Shinzan]

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

[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/prod...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