Buddhism is a religion that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (“the Buddha”) more

than 2,500 years ago in India. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider
Buddhism one of the major world religions. The religion has historically been most
prominent in East and Southeast Asia, but its influence is growing in the West. Many
Buddhist ideas and philosophies overlap with those of other faiths.

Founder of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,”
lived during the 5th century B.C.

Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although he
had an easy life, Gautama was moved
by suffering in the world.

He decided to give up his lavish

lifestyle and endure poverty. When
this didn’t fulfill him, he promoted the
idea of the “Middle Way,” which
means existing between two extremes.
Thus, he sought a life without social
indulgences but also without
deprivation.

After six years of searching, Buddhists

believe Gautama found enlightenment
while meditating under a Bodhi tree.
He spent the rest of his life teaching
others about how to achieve this
spiritual state.

Buddhism History

When Gautama passed away around

483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha’s teachings
became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism.
 In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism
the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was
encouraged.

Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. The thoughts and
philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers interpreting ideas
differently than others.

In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist
monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country.

Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages, forcing Buddhism
into the background.

Buddhism Beliefs

Some key Buddhism beliefs include:

 Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on
achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reach this
spiritual echelon, they’re said to have experienced nirvana.
 The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary man, but not a god. The
word Buddha means “enlightened.”
 The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom.
Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth.
 There are many philosophies and interpretations within Buddhism, making it a tolerant
and evolving religion.
 Some scholars don’t recognize Buddhism as an organized religion, but rather, a “way of
life” or a “spiritual tradition.”
 Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-indulgence but also self-denial.
 Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The Four Noble Truths, are essential to
understanding the religion.
 Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation
(the continuous cycle of rebirth).
 Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples or in their own homes.
 Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code of conduct, which includes celibacy.
 There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number of images have evolved that represent
Buddhist beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel, the Bodhi
tree and the swastika (an ancient symbol whose name means "well-being" or "good
fortune" in Sanskrit).

A gold Buddha figure at the Longhua Temple in the south of Shanghai, first built in 242
AD.
Types of Buddhism

Today, many forms of Buddhism exist around the world

Theravada Buddhism: Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
Theravada, the most ancient form of Buddhism, is the dominant school in Southeast Asia
(Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, and Laos). Its name translates to "Doctrine of the
Elders," and it centers on the Pali scriptures, transcribed from the oral tradition taught by the
Buddha. By studying these ancient texts, meditating, and following the eightfold path, Theravada
Buddhists believe they will achieve Enlightenment. Strong emphasis is also placed on the
monastic community and on heeding the advice of the wise

 Mahayana Buddhism: Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and

Vietnam. Mahayana Buddhism developed out of the Theravada tradition roughly 500 years after
the Buddha attained Enlightenment. A number of individual schools and traditions have formed
under the banner of Mahayana, including Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Pure Land
Buddhism, and Tantric Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism focuses on the idea of compassion and
touts bodhisattvas, which are beings that work out of compassion to liberate other sentient beings
from their suffering, as central devotional figures.

Tibetan Buddhism: Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia
and northern India. Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when
Tibet was conquered by the Chinese. At one time it was thought that 1 in 6 Tibetan men were
Buddhist monks.

The best known face of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India
since he fled Chinese occupation of his country in 1959.

Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and
Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon.

Although Tibetan Buddhism is often thought to be identical with Vajrayana Buddhism, they are
not identical - Vajrayana is taught in Tibetan Buddhism together with the other vehicles.
  Vajrayana was last of the three ancient forms to develop, and provides a quicker path to
Enlightenment than either the Theravada or Mahayana schools. They believe that the physical
has an effect on the spiritual and that the spiritual, in turn, affects the physical. Vajrayana
Buddhists encourage rituals, chanting, and tantra techniques, along with a fundamental
understanding of Theravada and Mahayana schools, as the way to attain Enlightenment.
 Zen Buddhism is said to have originated in China with the teachings of the monk
Bodhidharma. Zen Buddhism treats zazen meditation and daily practice as essential for
attaining Enlightenment, and deemphasizes the rigorous study of scripture.

Each of these types reveres certain texts and has slightly different interpretations o f
Buddha’s teachings. There are also several subsects of Buddhism, including Zen
Buddhism and Nirvana Buddhism.

Some forms of Buddhism incorporate ideas of other religions and philosophies, such as
Taoism and Bon.

Dharma

Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness, patience,
generosity and compassion were important virtues.

Specifically, all Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which prohibit:

 Killing living things

 Taking what is not given
 Sexual misconduct
 Lying
 Using drugs or alcohol

Buddha Quotes

Gautama traveled extensively, giving sermons on how to live and achieve enlightenment.
Some popular quotes commonly attributed to Buddha include:

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance.”

 “If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart.”

“A jug fills drop by drop.”

“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”

“Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an
unalterable law.”

“If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal
pass without sharing it in some way.”

“The root of suffering is attachment.”

“People with opinions just go around bothering each other.”

Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are:

 The truth of suffering (dukkha)

 The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
 The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
 The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)
Collectively, these principles explain why humans hurt and how to overcome suffering.

Eightfold Path

The Buddha taught his followers that the end of suffering, as described in the fourth
Noble Truths, could be achieved by following an Eightfold Path.

In no particular order, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism teaches the following ideals for
ethical conduct, mental disciple and achieving wisdom:

 Right understanding (Samma ditthi)

 Right thought (Samma sankappa)
 Right speech (Samma vaca)
 Right action (Samma kammanta)
 Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
 Right effort (Samma vayama)
 Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
 Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Buddhist Holy Book

Buddhists revere many sacred texts and scriptures. Some of the most important are:

 Tipitaka: These texts, known as the “three baskets,” are thought to be the earliest
collection of Buddhist writings.
 Sutras: There are more than 2,000 sutras, which are sacred teachings embraced mainly
by Mahayana Buddhists.
 The Book of the Dead: This Tibetan text describes the stages of death in detail.
Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism. Followers of the religion
believe the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama that has agreed to be born again
to help humanity. There have been 14 Dalai Lamas throughout history.

The Dalai Lama also governed Tibet until the Chinese took control in 1959. The current
Dalai Lama, Lhamo Thondup, was born in 1935.

Buddhist Holidays

Every year, Buddhists celebrate Vesak, a festival that commemorates Buddha’s birth,
enlightenment and death.

During each quarter of the moon, followers of Buddhism participate in a ceremony called
Uposatha. This observance allows Buddhists to renew their commitment to their
teachings.

They also celebrate the Buddhist New Year and participate in several other yearly
festivals.
 Aum (Om) Symbol

Om, also written as Aum, is a mystical and sacred

syllable that originated from Hinduism, but is now
common to Buddhism and other religions. In
Hinduism, Om is the first sound of creation and
symbolizes the three stages of existence: birth, life,
and death.
The best known use of Om in Buddhism is in Om
Mani Padme Hum, the “Six-Syllable Great Bright
Mantra” of the Bodhisattva of
compassion, Avalokiteśvara. When chanting or
looking at the syllables, we invoke the compassion
of the Bodhisattva and instill his qualities. AUM
(Om) consists of three separate letters, A, U, and
M. They symbolize the body, spirit and speech of the Buddha; “Mani” is for the path of teaching;
“Padme” for the wisdom of the path, and “hum” denotes wisdom and the path to it.

Bell

Since ancient times, temple bells have

summoned monks and nuns to meditation and
ceremonies. The gentle ring of a bell during
chanting helps followers to focus on the
present moment and let go of daily worries. A
sense of peace and calmness can be enhanced
by the sound of the bell. For this reason, wind
bells are often hung on the eaves of stupas and
temple to create peaceful and meditative
spaces, with their tinkling sounds.

The ring of the bell is a symbol of the

Buddha’s voice. It also represents wisdom and
compassion, and is used to call upon the
heavenly deities for protection and to ward off
evil spirits. Many old temples have bells at the
entrances that one needs to ring before
entering.
Bells come in a wide range of sizes and styles.

Bodhi Leaf & Tree

The Buddha achieved awakening under the shelter of a sacred fig tree known as the bodhi tree.
Since then, the bodhi tree has become a symbol of the Buddha’s enlightenment, and the heart-
shaped leaf a symbol of the potential that lies within each of us to awaken.
 Bodhi is a Sanskrit word that means “awakening.”
The term has two meanings for Buddhists. It denotes
both the fig tree, ficus religiosa, under which
Siddhārtha Gautama became awakened and any tree
under which any Buddha has awakened.

The bodhi leaf is heart-shaped and exudes a bright

and lilting energy. It speaks of playfulness and
thoughtfulness. The bodhi tree still stands in Bodh
Gaya, where the Buddha was awakened, as a
descendant of the one under which the Buddha sat
centuries ago.

Ensō

In Zen Buddhism, ensō is a sacred symbol often referred

to as “The Circle of Enlightenment.” It is a circle that is
hand-drawn in one or two brushstrokes to express a
moment when the mind is free to let the body create.
Some artists draw ensō as an open circle, while others
complete the circle.

At first, ensō may appear as a roughly drawn circle, but it

symbolizes many things: strength, elegance, the universe,
our true and innermost self, beauty in imperfection, and
the oneness of all things in life. It also symbolizes the
perfect meditative state or enlightenment.

Ensō is a visual expression of the Heart Sutra. Form is emptiness and emptiness is form—a
circle in which everything is contained within, or, equally excluded by its boundaries.
Lion

For thousands of years, the lion has been a symbol of royalty, strength and bravery. For these
reasons, the lion symbolizes the royal origins of Buddha
Shakyamuni, as well as his courage in challenging injustice and
alleviating human suffering. He is referred to as “Lion of the
Shakyas,” an acknowledgment of the power of his teachings.
The Buddhas’ voice is often called the “Lion’s Roar,” roaring
out the Dharma for all to hear. The symbolic meaning of the
lion’s roar reminds us to strive with the courageous heart of the
lion king and overcome obstacles in our path, creating
happiness and harmony in our lives and in society.

The lions serve as guardians, represented in pairs at the

entrance of shrines, temples, and monasteries. They are
symbolic of the Bodhisattvas, the "Buddha's lions," and can be found in their role of Dharma
protectors supporting the throne of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and serving as their mounts.
Mañjuśrī, the Bodhisattva of great wisdom mounts a lion
Lotus Flower

In Buddhism, the lotus is a symbol of the Buddha’s

awakening and a reminder that all beings have the same
potential to attain enlightenment. The lotus grows out
of mud and rises to the water’s surface to bloom in
beauty and purity, so too can the human develop the
virtues of a Buddha and rise above desire and
attachment to reveal the true nature.

The stage of the lotus flower represents the stages on

the spiritual path. For example, a closed bud is
synonymous with the beginning of the journey. A
partly open flower indicates walking the path. A fully blooming flower signifies the end of the
journey--enlightenment.

The lotus blooms profusely in every aspect of buddhist art and literature in all cultures. One of
the most important representations of the lotus in literature is the Lotus Sutra.

Mala (Recitation beads)

A mala usually consists of 9, 21, or 108 beads strung on

a string. Each bead represents one. However, the bead is
not alone, but is connected with all the other beads to
make a whole strand. As individuals, we may think we
are separate, but we’re not. We are connected to each
other, to our family, to the world. We are all living
beings together. One cannot exist without the other. This
connection to life, we call the Buddha nature.

The idea of the mala is to move one bead at a time,

focusing on a breath, a mantra, or a Buddha’s name, as in the Amitabha Sutra. This method
creates positive spiritual energy.

Pearl

This pearl refers to the “wish-fulfilling pearl” (Sanskrit: chintamani). It

is said to grant wishes and pacify desires. In Buddhism, however, it is a
symbol of spiritual wealth. With its luminosity, it brings clear all the
treasures and teachings of the Buddha. It can represent the virtues of
wisdom and compassion, the most desirable of all things. On a deeper
level, it symbolizes the wish-fulfilling pearl of our minds, which we
 can recover through meditation and practicing the Dharma.

In Buddhist art, the pearl is often depicted as a ball with a pointed top, or as a set of three jewels:
the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha or the monastic community. It can appear on a cloud or
surrounded by flames, or atop a staff or symbol used in rituals. Often, it shows a quality of a
Buddha, Bodhisattva or deity. For example, the Bodhisattva Kshitigatbha, Earth Treasury, is
usually shown holding a six-ringed staff in his right hand and a single jewel in his left hand, as
represented in Earth Treasury Sutra.
Swastika

The ancient swastika is one of the oldest symbols on Earth. It

is a symbol of peace, good luck, and positivity, predating the
Indus Valley Civilization and is found in the art of many
cultures: Egyptians, Romans, Celts, Greeks and Native
Americans. It is also used in Vedic mathematics. The Sanskrit
translation means "to be good," or “being with higher self.”

In Buddhism, the swastika symbolizes the seal of the

Buddha’s heart and contains within it the entire mind of the
Buddha. It can be seen imprinted on the body, palms, chest,
or feet of Buddha images. In China, the swastika represents the number ten thousand (wan),
meaning infinity and auspiciousness.
Vajra

The vajra is a kind of battle club used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a
diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt
(irresistible force). It is fashioned out of brass or
bronze, with four prongs at each end forming a lotus-
bud shape that denotes peace or end in sharp points and
become a wrathful weapon with which to stab. The
vajra is used in both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism. In
Tibetan Buddhism, it is almost always paired with a
bell during rituals.

In Buddhism, vajra has three meanings: durable,

luminous, and able to cut. Like the diamond, vajra
smashes all devious influences, but is itself indestructible, as explained in The Vajra (Diamond)
Sutra. Like the thunderbolt, its light breaks up the darkness. Like śūnyatā (the nature of reality),
it chops away people’s afflictions and misguided views.

The Origin Of The Buddhist Monk Robes

The history of the Buddhist saffron robes dated back to the time of the Buddha. At that time, the
Buddha instructed his initial monks to adorn on robes made from that appealed to no one else.
This cloth material is what he called pure cloths. And by pure cloths, the Buddha was talking
about cloth materials that one can consider as rags and is out of any use. For example, the
recommended cloth includes torn cloths, fire burnt cloths, the cloth used as shroud mostly for
dead bodies, and cloth used for cleaning of menstrual blood.

As a result, the Buddhist monks would search for cloths thrown away in refuse dumps. They will
pick these cloths and cut out the parts that they cannot reuse. Subsequently, they will wash
the cloths and sew them into one piece. At this stage, they will dye the cloth with plant matter.
The plant matter they use includes roots, barks, and leaves of plants. However, the main
ingredient used for the cloth dying is the spices turmeric or saffron. This is what gives the robe
an orange-yellow color. As a result, today Buddhists still refer to the robes monk wear with the
phrase “saffron robe”.

The Theravada Buddhist of today still wear robes dyed in saffron orange color. In addition, they
also wear robes in other spice colors which include shades of paprika, cumin, and curry. On the
other hand, Theravada Buddhism is prevalent in southeast Asia.

Note
Nowadays, the Buddhist monks and nuns do not wear robes scavenged from refuse dumps and
cremation grounds again. That is to say, they now wear robes made from cloths donated during
one of the public Buddhist ceremonies. For example, the Buddhist ceremony which involves
donating of cloths is the Kathina ceremony. The Buddhist monks gain merits from the laypersons
during the ceremony. Consequently, they get most of the cloths for the robes from here.

The Three Piece Monastic Robe (Tricivara)

Whenever you see a Buddhist monk, it likely that they are wearing their full robe which consists
of three parts. This is because the monks do not go into the village without the complete robe. On
the same note, the three-piece robe is:

1. The Inner Cloth (Antaravasaka)

This is in the form of a waistcloth. As a result, the monks wrap this cloth around the waist. And,
it covers from the waist to the knee. This is the innermost part of the three-piece monastic robe.

2. The Upper Cloth (Uttarasanga)

The monks wear this cloth above the Antaravasaka. It covers the upper part of the body, around
the torso and shoulders. However, most times the monks wear the Uttarasanga to cover the left
shoulder and leaving the right shoulder bare. Certainly, this is the most conspicuous part of the
robes. And, it measures around 6ft × 9ft in size.

3. The Outer Cloth (Sanghati)

This is in the form of an overgarment. The monks wear it to cover their upper body. Moreover,
they use it during cold weather conditions to keep their body warm. As a result, when they are
not using the Sanghati, the monks will hang it over their shoulder.

Buddhists believe that this form of dressing remained unchanged from the original mode of
dressing from the time of the Buddha.

The Five-Fold Monastic Robes

The five-fold robes are for the nuns. This consists of the three-piece robes and extra two pieces
of cloth. And, the additional cloths include:

 A Bodice or Vest (Samkacchika): The nuns will usually wear this under the Uttarasanga.
 A Bathing Cloth (Udakasatika): The nuns will always carry a bathing cloth around.

These additional two pieces of cloth with the three pieces that the monks wear make up the five-
fold monastic robes. In addition, the Theravada nuns of recent days wear robes that are mostly in
pink or white color. On the other hand, it is quite rare to see a Buddhist nun.
The Different Ways The Buddhist Monks Can Wear Their Robes
The Buddhist monks can wear their robes to differ depending on various factors. For example,
depending on the school of Buddhism where they belong, the tradition or country of practice,
and other factors such as their location, that is, whether they are in the monastery or in the
village. However, the most recognized way a Buddhist monk can put on his robe is alms-round
and using the upper cloth (Uttarasanga) to cover both shoulders.

On the other hand, when a monk is in the monastery, he can wear his robe in a much unrestricted
way. That is to say, he can leave the right shoulder bare as the upper cloth goes under the armpit.
Also, this method of wearing the monastic robe serves as a sign of respect when the monk is with
a senior monk. Moreover, this will give the arm enough space to move freely in order to aid
work.

When a Buddhist monk leaves the monastery to visit the village, he will wear the complete three-
piece robe. That is the inner cloth, the upper cloth, and the outer cloth.

Most importantly, these robes are suitable for any situation. They can serve as cover for cold,
spread for ground and chair, windbreaker, head cover, and many other uses. In addition, the robe
is quite easy to make and use, very simple and straight to the point.

The Variation Of The Buddhist Clothing In Different Traditions

There are differences in the type and colors of the robes worn by the Buddhist monks. And, you
can see these variations in the different countries practicing Buddhism. On the same note, we are
going to see these differences in the major schools of Buddhism.

Thus, these schools include:

The Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism is the school of Buddhism dominant in Thailand, Cambodia, and Sri
Lanka. And, the monks of the Theravada Buddhist tradition wear saffron robes of orange-yellow
color. Further, the Pali language translates the saffron yellow color as “Kasaya” and in some
cases “Kasava”. Also, in Sanskrit, it translates to “kashaya”.
The Theravada Buddhist monks wear robes to emulate that of the Buddha. As a result, their robe
is very simple and suggests a life taken apart from the world. This helps them choose simplicity
as a means of attaining awakening just like the Buddha.

The Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism sprang up as Buddhism traveled through China, Korea, and Japan. On the
same note, the Buddhist monks in the Mahayana tradition wear robes that are quite different
from that of the Buddha. This variation is mostly because of the climatic condition of the area.
That is to say, China is a cold nation and the three-piece robe tends not to provide enough
warmth.

On the other hand, we have seen that the exposing of the right shoulder is a sign of respect for
most Buddhism practicing nations. However, this is not so in Mahayana countries. In fact, the
reverse is the case. The Chinese Buddhist monks found it more respectful to cover the whole
body.

After some controversy involving sects, the Chinese Buddhist monks started wearing long-
sleeved robes. The sleeves fastened on the front side. This robe appeared more like those of the
scholars practicing Taoism. However, they wrap the upper cloth (Uttarasanga) over the long-
sleeved robe.

The robes of the Mahayana Buddhist monks are simple and plain. In addition, the colors of the
robe appear more silent. The monks in China and Korea wear robes of brown, grey or blue color.
On the other hand, Japanese Buddhist monks will most likely wear robes of black or grey colors.
Moreover, the Japanese monks wear a prayer robe “Kesa” over the usual Monastic Robe. They
make the Kesa from pieces of fine silk brocade materials sewn together in patches. Usually, the
patches are to emulate the patched robes the Buddha wore during his time.

Within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, the robes with sleeves also come in different styles.
Moreover, there are many clothing accessories worn with the robe. For example, they use capes,
stoles, sashes, and so on.

Note
The Chinese Buddhist monks live in a community of monks usually in a monastery. And, the
community tends to be independent of the external communities, at least to a reasonable extent.
As a result, the monks begged less from the public. Also, they stayed mostly within the
community doing chores. Therefore, they do not have to wear the sleeved robe all the time. This
gave rise to the common split skirt commonly worn by the monks. Then, they use the upper robe
(Uttarasanga) as a ceremonial outfit.

The Vajrayana Buddhism

The monks in the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition wear the fanciest robes of all. Vajrayana
Buddhism covers the areas of Tibet and the Himalaya. And, just as the Tibetans gained
recognition with their art, their Buddhist monk robes also are quite colorful.

The robes of the Vajrayana Buddhist monks differ in style and color depending on sect and
occasion. Also, the monks wear the robes with many clothing accessories such as capes and hats.

However, there are basic robes of the Vajrayana monks which includes:

 The Dhonka: This is usually a maroon colored wrap shirt. Also, it has a cap sleeve and
sometimes a yellow color with a blue design on the edges (piping).
 The Shemdap: This is a skirt of a usually maroon color. It is made with cloths patched
together and has different numbers of pleats for free movement.
 The Zhen: This is a maroon color wrap cloth made from patches of pieces of cloth. And, the
monks wear this robe to cover the upper part of the body. Moreover, they wear this for daily
ordinary activities.
 The Chogyu: This is a yellow wrap cloth similar to the Sanghati and worn to cover the
upper part of the body. Just like the Zhen, the Chogyu consists of pieces of cloths patched
together. However, the monks wear the Chogyu during recognized teachings and
ceremonies. Sometimes, instead of wearing this robe, the monks just let it rest on a shoulder.
 The Namjar: This is a large robe usually worn like the Uttarasanga (Kasaya) with the right
shoulder left bare. The robe is larger in size than the Chogyu. As a result, it has more
patches. In addition, it is usually in yellow color and made of silk material.

Note
During some of the Vajrayana Buddhist ceremonies and rituals, the monks and lamas wear other
clothing accessories to support their robe and the process. For example, during an exorcism, the
lamas will wear headdresses just like a helmet. Also, the headdress has peaks shaped like a
crescent.

Another example is during the initiation ceremony, here the lamas will wear a five-part crown.
The five parts of the crown contain each the five Dhyani Buddhas. On the other hand, they can
equally make use of the Sanskrit syllable representation of the essence. Most importantly, the
monks wear this crown to summon a deity represented in an image with a similar five-section
crown.

The Pattern Of The Buddhist Clothing

Most of the robes the Buddhist monks and nuns wear is in a traditional rice paddy pattern. That
is to say, the robes come in patches of cloths sewn together. Mostly, the pattern is in columns of
five strips of cloths. However, sometimes it can be up to seven or nine strips of cloth.

The origin of the rice paddy pattern goes back to the time of the Buddha. And, the Vinaya-Pitaka
recorded that the Buddha asked Ananda who was his chief attendant to design the robes in a rice
paddy pattern. As a result, Ananda with the idea of rice paddies had to sew strips of cloths
together to represent this idea. In addition, he used narrower strips of cloths to separate the paddy
patterns. The narrower strips form the paths through the Paddies.

The rice paddy pattern of the Buddhist monks robes is still in use today. Further, in the Zen
Buddhist tradition, the rice paddy pattern represents a formless field of benefaction. On the other
hand, it also represents a depiction of the universe or referred to as mandala.

The General Buddhist Clothing For The Lay Community

The lay community in Buddhism do not have any obligation to wear a particular type of robes.
However, during special occasions, the devout laypersons may wear austere robes. For example,
during the days of a full moon (Uposatha days), the laypersons may wear simple all white robes.
This is to show their purity and the taking of the five ethical Buddhist vows (Pañcha śîla).

Moreover, this mode of dressing by the devout lay community is formal. That is to say, there are
special kinds of lay people (Anagarika) who adopted the ascetic lifestyle. Consequently, they
now wear the all-white robe all the time and hold on to the ethical rules of Buddhism. This
introduction came from a Buddhist reformer Anagarika Dharmapala.

Last Words On Buddhist Clothing

The robes the Buddhist monks wear today have gone through a series of evolution. This is as a
result of Buddhism traveling to different countries and cultures. However, we have noted the
remarkable differences seen in the Buddhist monk robes. Also, each variation has a significance
based on the tradition that adopted it.
On the other hand, Buddhism did not place any strong rule on the lay Buddhist community on
clothing. Therefore, one can devotedly practice Buddhism without having to worry about the
clothing demands.