How to Make a Zen Buddhist Robe

Zen Monk in Kesa and Rakusu

Zen robes are ancient symbols of the robe Lord Buddha wore after his Awakening. Sewn with mindful meditation, following the teachings of Buddhists sutras, the tricivara "triple robe" unites Zen monks with their beloved teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha. To make a Zen Buddhist robe, one should be a Zen Buddhist monk.

Things You'll Need

• Six kinds of cloth
• Six kinds of dye

Instructions

1. 

   Make the Buddhist monk's "triple robe," (tricivara). Introduced to the first Buddhist monks by the Awakened One (Buddha), the tricivara consists of an inner waistcloth (antaravasaka), an over garment (uttarsanga), and the outer robe (sanghati). Buddhist nuns wear additional garments.

2. 

   Gather "plant fibres, cotton, silk, animal hair (e.g. wool, but not human), hemp, and a mixture of some or all of them." (See Additional Resources)Cut each fabric to create the design of Magadha rice padis.

3. 

   Collect six dyes, "roots and tubers, plants, bark, leaves, flowers and fruits." (Additional Resources) Boil fabrics for sufficient time to absorb dyes. While there is a contemporary tendency for monks in the forest to wear ochre and for those in the city to wear saffron, that was not the Buddha's instructions.

4. 

   Drape the garments according to one's lineage and according to basic tradition. The universal way to drape the outer robe is the style for gathering alms. The outer robe covers both shoulders and the two upper corners are together, edges tightly bound in a roll. Monks push the roll over the left shoulder, drape down the back and under the armpit, pressed in place the left arm. Part the roll in front and poke the right arm through it.

Tips & Warnings

• There is an older method of robe-making that predates Buddha's Awakening. In his time as a wandering mendicant, his robe was extremely rustic. See "the Tradition of Buddha's Robe" in Additional Resources

Resources

• The Tradition of Buddha's Robe
• The Monastic Robes
• Kesa