Our last Jukai-e 授戒会 ceremony was in Kagyu Samye Dzong (pictured) in October 2023 which feels like quite a while back! After a long wait we now re-open the precepts group to practitioners who would like to prepare to accept the precepts (Jukai 授戒), and will have our first meeting soon. Or if you are just interested to find out more about what is involved, you are welcome to attend. Please contact John at glasgowzengroup@gmail.com to register your interest.
When we have practiced Zazen for a while and we feel comfortable with the group and our sitting practice, we naturally feel we want to strengthen our connection to the sangha and deepen our practice further, for the benefit of all beings, following the example and teachings of the Buddha.
Preparing to accept the bodhisattva precepts is a great way to do this – and you can do so by joining our precepts and sewing group to discover the process, learn about how the sixteen precepts are living and vital within zazen practice and your everyday life, and then be guided in the sewing of your small Buddhist robe (rakusu) in readiness for the Jukai-e ceremony.
The Buddha first gave a set of precepts to his disciples to help them live harmoniously together as a sangha, and over hundreds of years these developed into the bodhisattva precepts, the entry point for practitioners who had intuitively awakened to the truth of Buddhism through practice. By accepting the Bodhisattva precepts, practising the Buddha way, you are not just deepening your own practice but have the opportunity to aid the practice and wellbeing of others, and we hope you will strengthen your support for our sangha activities.
This time round, Kokuu and Nick have generously offered to lead the Precepts and Sewing group, following key texts to support practitioners and tried and trusted sewing guides that have been passed down through Soto zen lineages. Please let John know if you are interested at glasgowzengroup@gmail.com, or for those of you who have already accepted the precepts and would be willing to support practitioners with their sewing please also let John know. Then we will contact you with the date of our first meeting.
After we have been practicing for a while and want to commit more to Buddhism as a way of life, we might seek to take the precepts. These are the Buddhist vows undertaking not to kill, steal, lie and so on, essentially acknowledging the unity and sacredness of all life.
As part of this, we are given a Buddhist name, and we sew a rakusu 絡子, which is a traditional Japanese garment worn round the neck. It is an abbreviated smaller version of the Okesa お袈裟, the traditional Buddhist robe, which was originally made from pieces of discarded fabric, hence symbolising the interdependence and preciousness of all being.
We sew Rakusu, Okesa robes and also the Zagu 座具 sitting/ prostrations mat. In the afternoon we have two sewing periods with a break in between – come to part or all of the afternoon. It is a supportive and cheerful group, and you can also have advice from us about your sewing in between meetings.
Participants can drop in and out of the group as they please, it isn’t necessary to take part each time. Please come and join us – to do this contact us by email, or for any questions about this group.
Find out what we have been up to at the group on our sewing blogposts.
