Tibetan Buddhist robes are distinctively from robes worn in other schools of Buddhism. Yet some similarities remain.
A monk of the Tibetan Karma Kagyu tradition adjusts his zhen, part of his robe that is wrapped around his upper body. The photo was taken in the Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery in Scotland.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Monks of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism wear somewhat different robes, but the dominant colors are maroon, yellow, and sometimes red, with blue piping on the sleeves of the dhonka.
Red and maroon came to be traditional monk robe colors in Tibet mostly because it was the most common and cheapest dye at one time. The color yellow has several symbolic meanings. It can represent wealth, but it also represents earth, and by extension, a foundation.
The sleeves of the dhonka represent a lion's mane. There are a number of stories explaining the blue piping, but the most common story is that it commemorates a connection to China.
The zhen, the maroon "everyday" shawl, often is draped to leave the right arm bare in the style of a kashaya robe.
No comments:
Post a Comment