Buddhist robes why orange

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. For example, they use roots, the bark of trees, leaves, fruits, flowers, or tubers. Also, they use spices which include the saffron or turmeric.

This is what gives the robe the orange-yellow color. As a result, Buddhists call the robe saffron robe. Today, the Buddhist monks may no longer dye their clothes with plant matter. However, they still kept the original color they got from dying the clothes with plant matter.

Moreover, the different color shades obtained are as a result of using varying plant substances. And, also at varying quantities. In addition, before the monks dye their robes in the early days, they use red clay to wash them.

The clay has the capacity to stain the clothes. As a result, they get a brown-red color robe. This practice affects the shade of orange color produced after dying the clothes. Buddhism is a practice that one can say came out of Hinduism.

This is because the prevalent religion in India is Hinduism. And, Hinduism is already existing about half a millennium before Buddhism. Above all, the Buddha originally practiced Hinduism before seeking for enlightenment. As such, most Buddhist practices today relate to that of Hindus. On the same note, the Hindu ascetics started the practice of wearing orange color robes. The Hindu ascetics are the Yogis or Sannyasis. However, we should focus on why the Hindu ascetics chose to wear orange clothes.

Well, the orange color represents fire which the Hindus consider as pure. In addition, the color of fire symbolizes sacrifice. Of course, the ascetics sacrificed pleasure both sensual and material. This practice goes back to the Vedic era. And, the Veda which is the oldest Hindu sacred text recorded the practice.

Most of all, the Hindus perform rituals involving the burning of offerings. For example, they throw grains, milk, and other substances into a fire.

This is where the color of fire as a symbol of sacrifice started. On the other hand, the color of fire also includes yellow, red, plus the orange. These can come in varying shades. And, these shades appear in the dressing of the ascetics. Today, the Yogis still use these colors of robes. More so, the Hindus still consider them sacred. Summarily, we can say that Buddhists adopted the orange robe from the Hindu practice. As a result, today Buddhist monks wear the orange or saffron robes.

However, most people who practice Buddhism outside India do not know the reason behind the colors. This is because the Buddhist texts did not cover the topic. But, the Hindu text talked about it in detail. This reason is mostly the belief of Theravada Buddhists.

To clarify, the orange robe shows the color of the sun that shines from far away. However, we can still see the light. Therefore, Buddhist monks wear orange robes to represent this radiating light. In addition, the orange robe portrays a light that shines in the darkness. There is also a wide range of sashes, capes, obis, stoles, and other accouterments worn with robes in these Mahayana countries. On ceremonial occasions, monks, priests, and sometimes nuns of many schools often wear a sleeved "inner" robe, usually gray or white; a sleeved outer robe, fastened in the front or wrapped like a kimono, and a kashaya wrapped over the outer sleeved robe.

In Japan and Korea, the outer sleeved robe is often black, brown, or gray, and the kashaya is black, brown, or gold but there are many exceptions to that. Tibetan nuns, monks, and lamas wear an enormous variety of robes, hats, and capes, but the basic robe consists of these parts:. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.

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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Barbara O'Brien. Zen Buddhism Expert. Updated January 18, Cite this Article Format. O'Brien, Barbara.