Gudo Nishijima Roshi: How To Wear O-kesa

Gudo Nishijima Roshi demonstrates the way to put on the o-kesa (or kashaya), the traditional Buddhist robe. Notice he is wearing a kimono under the o-kesa and a Western style dress shirt below that. These are the clothes he just happened to be wearing when I taped this. Though Nishijima Roshi often wears full Buddhist robes, he believes that the o-kesa is the only truly necessary garment. So he often wears it over Western clothes.

His method for tying it is basically Soto style. But there are variations. Some do not hide the cords used to tie it up. Some fold it in a slightly different way.

Sorry for the video drop-outs at the beginning. It clears up pretty quickly.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• zen
• buddhism
• buddha
• nishijima roshi
• hardcore zen
• brad warner

[doubtboy]

Sure. But nobody knows the "right" way to wear these things anyhow. Not even real Zen teachers!

[MindfulZen]

Great video on putting a O-kesa on! Thumbs up if it is great!

[roentgen571]

@SusieYeah33 well, they're both made of cloth and wrap around your body, so I guess they're "similar." As far as I know, the robes muslims wear have no religious or philosophical significance, any more than a protestant christian minister's necktie and jacket has.

[SusieYeah33]

similar to muslim robes?

[venfresh]

The way to do it is however your teacher shows you! I think the way he ties the knot here is pretty orthodox and I'm glad to be able to study this in this video. Thanks for this resource doubtboy!

[cwalwanis]

I think that this video is great given it's content but I can't help but think about how it could be helping fake Buji Zen "teachers" or practitioners look more authentic.