❖ Why do monks wear robes of different colors? ❖ ~ by Ajahn Jayasaro ~

❖ Why do monks wear robes of different colors? ❖ 
~ by Ajahn Jayasaro ~ 

The bright yellow or orange - colored robes are usually worn by monks living in monasteries situated in the villages, towns and cities. The darker colored robes are usually worn by monks from forest monasteries. 

Most monks nowadays wear robes made of synthetic material. These robes are produced commercially in a variety of colors, bought by lay Buddhists, and then offered to monks. 

In most monasteries a set color is prescribed, but in some monasteries monks are free to wear whatever colored robe is offered to them, provided it lies within acceptable boundaries. 

In many forest monasteries monks still sew their own robes and dye them with color extracted from the heartwood of the jackfruit tree. The color of these robes varies according to the color of the wood used (which varies from a golden color through to orange-red), and to the age of the robe (which is only ever washed in a diluted solution of the dye, a weak astringent, and gets darker as it ages). 

(From “Without and Within, Sangha” by Ajahn Jayasaro) 

- - ❖ - -

To read the ebook, please visit ‘Without and Within', by Ajahn Jayasaro:

https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/11/Without-and-Within-by-Ajahn-Jayasaro.pdf

- - ❖ - -

For other teachings by Ajahn Jayasaro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website:

https://www.jayasaro.panyaprateep.org/

- - ❖ - -

Photo: ‘Without and Within’

14th November, 2022