There are three types of chivara: the inner robe (Pali: antaravasaka), made of 5 strips of cloth; the outer robe (uttarasanga), made of 7 strips; and the great robe, or cloak (samghati), made of 9, 15, or 25 strips. In order to avoid the primary colours, Buddhist robes are of mixed colours, such as orange or brown.
The tradition stuck and orange is now the color of choice for Theravada Buddhist followers in Southeast Asia, as opposed to a maroon color for Tibetan monks. The robes themselves are meant to symbolize simplicity and detachment of materialism.
Monks robes, which originated in India, were worn in various shades of yellow, ranging to orange and saffron, as they are today by monks in Thailand, Burma and other countries in South East Asia. Though yellow is still present in Tibetan monk's robes, the dominant hue is burgundy red.
The colour white is used by Buddhist devotees to show their commitment to keeping the Precepts — usually the Eight Precepts — on Observance Days. (White robes are also worn by the anagarika, or postulant before he becomes a monk.)
Buddhism is practiced by a diverse range of people from different cultures, so attire differs according to heritage. The family typically wears white, whereas friends may wear black. Japanese Buddhist mourners wear black but others may wear white.
Black. In many cultures, black is a sombre colour, and the colour of mourning – and in Buddhism, that is no different. For Buddhist funerals, guests and families typically wear black or white.
Tibetan monks are known for the deep red colour of their robes, the colour is worn by ordained monks and nuns but red is also a highly spiritual colour in Tibet. Red is the colour of all that is divine and sacred, with many temples also clad in the same red and yellow colours that monks wear.
Blue represents the sky, white represents the air, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. All five colours together signify balance. Monks gather in Tibet.
Theravada Buddhist monks adhere to one of the oldest styles of monk attire and wear cotton robes dyed saffron. Besides the traditional saffron yellow robes, monks in different sects may wear red or maroon robes, black and white robes, or brown robes. In Buddhism, monks seek to avoid wishing for worldly goods.
According to more general Buddhist monastic codes, a Buddhist monk must not wear footwear that covers the toes and the heels. However, monks can wear shoes that have been donated to them, which is useful to monks living in colder climates, or where the terrain is rough. So minimalism is key.
I am a Buddhist and care about what I wear. Lay people like myself are not required to wear anything specific. Some Buddhists voluntarily wear yellow or white to represent the 'Middle Way' which is something we believe in. Yellow is also the colour of Buddha's robes.
Modesty in dress is important in Buddhism. The Sekhiya rules of Buddhist Monastic code, for example, provide guidelines on proper clothing as well as recommended ways of dressing for monks.
A rakusu (絡子) is a traditionally Japanese garment worn around the neck of Zen Buddhists who have taken the precepts. It can also signify Lay Ordination.
Rectangular in shape with an angled top edge, jiasha are traditionally worn draped over the left shoulder, with the addition of a single hook to fasten the robe around the torso. Custom dictated that a jiasha was presented to monks in China on the occasion of their ordination.
Meaning 'one who is awake', the Buddha shows us a way of living that is free from the stresses and worry that can often overcome us. The colour pink is universal in representing harmony and inner peace, compassion, love of oneself and of others as well as approachability.
In this realm, the Buddha is colored black. Black symbolizes killing and anger as well as primordial darkness. Fierce deities are often rendered in black in order to signify the darkness of hate and ignorance as well as the role that these qualities have to play in the awakening of clarity and truth.
Caps are the principal head attire of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The most famous cap is the black hat worn by the Karmapa line of teachers. From the time of the 5th Karmapa there have been two styles of black hat: a simple traditional hat and and a very ornate black hat.
Sacred color of the monk costume
It tells us that yellow was an exclusive color for monks. Monks wore yellow costumes to distinguish themselves from the “Zan” and “Zanpu,”,government officials who wore red uniforms. An ancient story tells how yellow became the sacred color of Buddhism.
Hindu and Buddhist monks wear orange robes, and in Hinduism, orange represents fire and therefore purity; impurities are burned in fire.
For most Buddhists, however, the desire to look pretty and wear makeup, even if it's just for yourself, is still considered a material attachment. Until you rid yourself of all attachments, the belief is you won't reach enlightenment and be forced to reincarnate for all eternity.
TATTOOS AND BUDDHISM
Because they are viewed as temporary, getting tattoos doesn't violate any Buddhist doctrines or beliefs. Some Buddhists say that tattoos are an unhealthy attachment to the body. However, even monks can have tattoos and some sects actually encourage them as a way to remember Buddhist teachings.
Buddhist tradition suggests that death should occur in a calm and peaceful environment, with close friends and family in attendance. Together they should reflect on the good deeds the dying person has done throughout their life, in the hopes it will help them in their next reincarnation.
Buddhism, the Thai state religion, teaches that use of intoxicants should be avoided.