Judy Putnam: The Significance of Buddha’s Robe

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Judy worked for the City of Fort Collins in the Light and Power Department for 23 years in various positions from Meter Calibrator to Special Projects Coordinator. As a young student, she gained a Masters degree in Biology and in retirement became a volunteer Master Naturalist with the City of Fort Collins, CO.

Her interest in Native American cultures culminated with sewing a traditional brain- tanned dress, leggings and moccasins adorned with porcupine quillwork. These items are now on loan to the Smithsonian from Kate Goes In Center, to whom they were given.

She has actively participated in the local Project Linus effort making quilts for hospitalized children and those in compromised situations. Since 2010 she has made over 200 quilts. She is recognized as a Zen Buddhist Sewing Teacher in both the Suzuki tradition and the Katagiri tradition. She has been helping students sew rakusu since 2004 and has been helping students sew okesa since 2013. In 2019 she was recognized by her Guiding Teacher, Angie Boissevain, as a lay teacher of the Dharma.