According to Buddhist Studies, the familiar orange dye derived from the heartwood of the jack-fruit tree in northeast Thailand. While the color orange is not symbolic for Buddhist monks, the tradition of wearing orange has maintained prominence in the East.
Contemporary monks wear synthetically dyed orange robes in honor of the memory of their ancient brothers in Southeast Asia. In other parts of the world, the robes worn by Buddhist monks are different colors. For example, Tibetan Buddhist monks wear burgundy robes. Also, white robes are often worn on special observance holidays. The significance is that the monks were supposed to pick a cloth that has been discarded to make their robes.
Then dye it afterward to a uniform color. That is to say that, a common dye available during the days of the Buddha was saffron. More so, Tibetan and Myanmar monks wear Red robes. Furthermore, why do Buddhist monks shave their heads? Therefore, Buddhist monks shave their heads as a symbol of giving up worldly attachments. Therefore, the Buddhist monks will shave their heads once ordained to symbolize the life they chose to live. Moreover, the Buddha himself before he became enlightened had to cut his hair.
Yellow — signifies the Middle Path, that is, the complete absence of form and emptiness. Red — symbolizes achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune, and dignity. White — stand for purity and emancipation. Orange — the essence of Buddhism which is full of wisdom, strength and dignity. In the typical Roman Catholic or Anglican orders, the habit consists of a tunic covered by a scapular and cowl, with a hood for monks or friars and a veil for nuns; in other orders it may be a distinctive form of cassock for men, or a distinctive habit and veil for women.
Buddhists monks choose not to marry and remain celibate while living in the monastic community. This is so that they can focus on achieving enlightenment. Be a monk. Taking up holy orders may not guarantee life after death, but it does ensure a longer one on earth.
New research shows that ministers, priests, vicars, nuns and monks live much longer , and healthier, than their flocks. Monastics in Japan are particularly exceptional in the Buddhist tradition because the monks and nuns can marry after receiving their higher ordination. Some Korean monks live with wives in their monasteries. Monks of certain Chinese Buddhist sects are allowed to marry , such as in historical Yunnan, Lingnan and Taiwan. Male monastics are called bhikkhus. Both bhikkhunis and bhikkhus live by the Vinaya, a set of rules.
Historically, Buddhist monks were allowed to own only 8 possessions: their robe 3 pieces of fabric , a begging bowl, girdle, water-filter, a needle to repair their robe, and a razor to shave their head. During Buddha's time, robes are initially made from unwanted clothes collected and sewn and dyed wth tree barks, which turned them into dirty brown, even purplish or mud orange.
And while it helps to identify where the monks hail from such as Sri Lanka, Thai, Myanmar etc. Hence, you find each with a tinge of tonal difference. No big deal about the colour difference. In ancient China before Song dynasty, monks wore dirty coloured robes, purplish orange, using a colour mixed from leftover dyes. However during the Song Dynasty, the emperor took refuge in the triple gems and appointed his master as National Master or Advisor. Historically yellow was recognised in China as royal colour, that only royal members are allowed to use.
Since Sangha members are being recognised as the teachers of the Emperors and royals, they are therefore accorded the right to adorn in yellow robes. As temples then were usually built high up in the mountains where water are shortage, washing becomes restrictive.
Only when one had completed the higher ordination of upasampada, can one then be accorded the yellow robes befitting a master. So for monks in yellow robes, representing royal patronage, even Ministers or Generals had to pay their respect first and not other way round as if in audience with the Emperor himself.
Tiantai Tendai , Chan Zen , or Pureland perhaps with very limited alerations thru times. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.
Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. What is the meaning behind different robe colors? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 4 months ago. Active 5 months ago. Viewed 57k times. Improve this question. Anatta Anatta 1 1 gold badge 4 4 silver badges 13 13 bronze badges. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. I've seen many Sri Lankan Theravada monks to wear Saffron and Tibetan monks to wear saffron or yellow and maroon.
Robin Robin 9, 4 4 gold badges 28 28 silver badges 73 73 bronze badges. What are shades of curry? What is curry? This: cdn. Curry, cumin, and paprika are typical household spices. Saffron is as well although it's more expensive. Curry is yellow, cumin is brownish, paprika is red, saffron is yellow. Let me revise saffron, it ranges from yellow to orange colored. Is this due to availability of dyes or for historical reasons or does it signify different spiritual meaning?
Ochre was the most available color of clay around the area Buddha lived and practiced at. Hui Shen Hui Shen 31 1 1 bronze badge. John Renwick John Renwick 21 1 1 bronze badge. White is not actually a robe color. Theravadan householders are described by the Buddha in the Tipitika as wearing white.
Further more based on my association with the temple and brief experience as a short term novice monk I observed the following: Within the monastic compound Chinese monks wear bluish gray tunic and trousers inside for cooking, cleaning, meditation and to sleep. For ceremonies and public appearances a black robe called the Haiqing is generally worn, with a dark maroon Kasaya.
During public ceremonies only the ceremony conductor wear the yellow robe and red Kasaya. A brown cassock maybe worn for travelling.
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