How to Put on Monk Robes
For more than two millennia, monks in Asia have worn colorful, distinctive robes that set them apart from the fashion of the general populace. While the robes of Christian religious orders today may slip over the head or be fastened with the typical snaps, laces, buttons and zippers of lay clothing, Buddhist robes are still wrapped and secured in traditional ways. Putting them on, and keeping them on, is an art form to be mastered. For Buddhist monks, even the simple act of getting dressed is a deliberate and meditative exercise. The following guide will help you to appreciate the tradition. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- undergarments:
- a singlet
- a skirt or sarong
- capes:
- 2 lengths of cloth about 2 yards by 3 yards
- belt:
- 1 length of cloth at least 2 yards long
Instructions
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Robes and Rituals
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The first layer of clothing is commonly worn inside the monastery for work activities and consists of two pieces. The cloth skirt is wrapped and tied or belted at the waist and falls to the knees. A sleeveless, cap-sleeved or one-shouldered shirt usually ties under one arm and may be tucked into the skirt. Some orders wrap a longer skirt over the under shirt like a sarong. The outer cape, sometimes called a kashava, uttarasanga or sanghati, is put on according to ritual that varies slightly with each monastic order. The outer cape is a length of cloth about six by nine feet, folded and worn in traditional style. It takes some practice--and patience--to get it right.
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Hold the length of cloth at one end and "pleat" it into accordion folds about six to eight inches wide. Once the cloth is neatly folded, shake out any wrinkles and fold down about one-third. Hold the material firmly in the left hand at the one-third fold and pull out one corner of the fabric with the right hand. Free enough fabric to make a single layer that can be wrapped around the body---about a yard or so of single-layer cloth, or two or more "pleats."
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Secure the folded material in the left hand against the left shoulder and swing the free edge of the fabric over the shoulder and around the body like a cape. Bring the right hand holding the free edge under the right shoulder, across the front of the body, under the left arm. Tuck the free edge of the fabric snuggly into the undergarments, leaving the right shoulder bare.
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Straighten the folded fabric still over the left shoulder so that one-third hangs neatly down in front and two-thirds hangs down in back. This is the accepted style of robe for wearing inside the monastery. For trips outside monastery walls, the free end can be pulled over the right shoulder, covering it like a cape.
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The belt is a long, thin piece of cloth, often matching the orange of the robes but sometimes a bright saffron or yellow color. It is wound around the body, over all layers of robes, and holds everything in place. Wrap the belt cloth around the waist, cross in back and bring the ends to the front. Tie the belt in front, keeping one end longer than the other. Pull the long end under and over the belt and let it hang down in front.
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Flatten out the long end at the waist, run your hands down the length of it and grasp at the free edge. Fold the end up and over the waistband, tucking it securely into the belted cloth. Smooth any gathers. Now flip the folded and secured length of belt in half and in half again, ending up with a "stack" of folded material. Pull the remaining, shorter end of the belt material across this "pouch" and secure by wrapping the loose end over and around the waistband of the belt.
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Some traditions add another folded cape for warmth in colder climates. It is folded like the outer cape and simply draped over the left shoulder until needed. The left side may be pulled free of the folds and wrapped around the left arm to secure it while the other edge is pulled around the body and thrown over the left shoulder like a cape.
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Tips & Warnings
In warmer climates like India, exposing one shoulder is considered a sign of respect. But in colder regions such as China, sleeves were added to traditional robes for warmth and slightly different robing rituals developed.
The original monks robes were fashioned from scavenged material. Monks found scraps of fabric in trash dumps or on cremation grounds, saved what could be reused and pieced their robes together. Today robes may be constructed of pieces of fabric to follow tradition but the fabric is bought or donated.
This explanation clarifies a spiritual and cultural tradition. It would be unusual, and possibly disrespectful, to wear monks robes unless you are a monk.
