The Sewing Teachers also prepared and presented Yuko with a ceremonial rakusu at the Green Gulch Retreat as thanks for her tireless efforts in this project.  Here Blanche is showing her the inscription on the back.

Inscription by Shosan Victoria Austin.  The center Sanskrit text means “kesa” (kashaya).  The circle of words read:  Inspire - Guide - Bless - Liberate - Purify - Support - Nourish - Armor - Cover - Protect.

While the robe was pressed and folded, helping hands prepared dinner to be served before the ceremony.

Guests, sewing teachers, cooks, and teachers, all gather on the zendo steps after the robe receiving ceremony.

While the cooks finished dinner (left), the final stitches were made and the robe was ready to be pressed.

Above, Sojun Mel Weitsman giving the robe to Blanche.  She expressed her feeling of the robe having an oceanic feeling, thus the name given.

Present