Suzuki Roshi began offering lay ordination in the late 1960s, as a way to support and encourage his burgeoning and largely lay community of students. This tradition has continued and flourished up to the present. The intention to lay ordain is expressed and affirmed within a teacher-student relationship, when permission to sew is given.
This class is to assist those who have received permission from their teacher to sew a rakusu or okesa in preparation for receiving precepts and a robe in Jukai (lay ordination) or Shukke Tokudo (priest ordination).
Before attending classes, please review the Health and Safety Requirements. To find out more and receive permission to attend, please contact Steph Blank (stephanie.blank@sfzc.org) or Tim Wicks (timothywicks@comcast.net).
Rakusu Sewing Instructions are available here.
To sew a rakusu for non-SFZC residents: The registration fee for participation in the ongoing sewing classes at City Center or at Green Gulch Farm is $250. This includes materials. The cost of a prepared rakusu sewing kit only is $50; requires the sewing teacher's approval.
To sew an okesa for non-SFZC residents: The registration fee for a Head Sewing Teacher's assistance with cutting and sewing an okesa at City Center or at Green Gulch Farm is $1,000. This includes materials.
If students have difficulty meetings these costs, please discuss a sliding scale arrangement with your sewing teacher.
Note: There is usually an additional donation made to the temple for the ceremony.