Buddhist Fact of the week #7 - Robes or civara

What's the most timeless fashion ever? The buddhist robe! They are still worn 2500 years in the same fashion :D

I'm sure all of you have seen Buddhist monks wearing robes of the same designs, or with slight variations yet different colours.


The Sanskrit and Pali word for monastic robes is civara.
Wearing civara is the first of a monk's four traditional requirements (nisraya). Monks are instructed never to enter a village without wearing all three parts of their robe:

• an inner robe, from the waist to the knee
• an upper robe, around the torso and shoulders
• an outer robe used as an overgarment

Material for new robes is traditionally donated by laypersons in the kathina ceremony, which occurs across Southeast Asia after the rainy season. This is one of the few monastic ceremonies that involves the laity, and it helps them to gain merit.

There are a number of ways the monks wear their robes, depending on their sect and country. The most universal one is that which is worn for the alms-round, when the robe is covering both the shoulders.

Within the monastery or residence or when having an audience with a more senior monk, a simpler style is adopted, as a gesture of respect and to facilitate work. The right side of the robe is pushed under the armpit and over the robe on the left leaving the right shoulder bare.

The Buddhist monastic robe is so versatile that it can be used, besides what is already mentioned, as a blanket, a seat-spread, a groundsheet, a head-cover, a windbreaker, etc. It is easy to clean and repair. It is perhaps the oldest style of dress still in fashion after 2,500 years.

Source: http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/things/monks_robes_hats.htm